Your Excellency:

On Holy Saturday evening in 1948, at age 23, I was baptized a Catholic. This action culminated years of inquiry, study and investigation; of searching in Protestant theologies for answers which invariably I found only in the beliefs integral to Catholicism.

As the years passed, the promise of reward and fulfillment which was present that evening was totally realized and the absolute rightness of things could best be expressed in the beautiful words of our Mass: "I will go in unto the altar of God. To God Who giveth joy to my youth."

Catholicism's continuity of ritual and specifics of faith and its unchanging image over the centuries were attractions not offered by other denominations with their ideologies readily modified to cater to social change (or which had been created in the first place to accommodate some variation of religious expression). How wonderful it was to know that, wherever it was found in the world, Catholicism was the same!

This is no more. Innovations in recent years have brought a blurring and confusion of image, a dilution of purpose and commitment to both clergy and laity, a pitiful loss of beauty and reverence. The Church's former universality has been traded for provincialism, its religiosity for "social relevance." The encroachments of other denominations on Catholicism's identity, rituals and liturgy are not only encouraged, but solicited. Such an elasticity of interpretation is now allowed that any clergy/congregation can virtually "do its own thing." And the ultimate irony is that while an infinite variety of productions are indulged in the name of the "new mass," the beautiful, devout Tridentine Mass is opposed.

Perhaps the Church's transition has gone too far to completely reverse itself, to recover those established values, presently preserved only by "traditional Catholics," that were sacrificed for the dubious values of ecumenism. The Church can, however, restore to general usage the old liturgy in Latin, the Tridentine Mass, and it is for this action that I make petition.

Hopefully, countless other faithful will also make themselves heard: those who turn away from a watered-down Catholicism, who do not agree that less is better, who cannot accept a Church so altered that precepts long observed and held to be true can be abandoned and repudiated. For my part, by continuing to support the traditionalist movement with my whole heart and strength of purpose, as well as whatever worldly goods with which I am blessed, the Faith I embraced so many years ago endures, tempered by adversity and made infinitely more precious, as things usually are, after being rescued from peril.

Respectfully,
Emma Morris

Your Eminence:

As you well know, Pope John Paul II's recent Apostolic Letter, Dominicae Cenae, requested full respect for the desires of those who yearn for the "old liturgy in Latin" (par. 10). Subsequently, on June 19, 1980 the Sacra Congregatio pro Sacramentis et Cultu Divino sent to all Western Rite bishops an inquiry, desiring a report on the demand for this liturgy within each diocese. The purpose of my present letter to you is to aid in fulfilling the Pope's request by providing you with some objective information which may aid you in making your report.

To my knowledge, the laity have not, and never have been consulted in this matter. Had they been, I'm certain you would have been surprised at just how unpopular the liturgical reforms continue to be: in fact, there is a widespread, sullen, resentful attitude toward the changes which, it is felt, have been imposed during the last decade. Indeed, this is patently obvious to anyone involved with the laity. It has always amazed me that this most obvious fact has been so completely ignored in the welter of optimistic hopes and empty assertions put forth in regard to the expected (and never realized) benefits of the new liturgy. It is plain for all to see that in the post-Conciliar reforms we have initiated a pastoral disaster. Look at your parish churches, once so full, and now so empty. It is useless to try and absolve the new liturgy from a great deal of blame in this disaster.

Yet it may be pointed out that the demand for the Latin liturgy just does not seem to be very vocal and substantial. I agree, with emphasis upon the word "seem." However, this belies the true nature of the widespread desire for restoration of our beloved liturgical customs: a desire which is profound, but also largely inarticulate, humble, and silent. Independent opinion surveys, such as the Gallup poll (see a report on this by Kevin Starr, The San Francisco Examiner, April 15, 1978) confirm these assertions, reporting that close to seventy percent of all Catholics surveyed desire the restoration of the old rites.

Several facts, however, should be kept in mind in this regard.

First, the Catholic people are by and large obedient to their trusted pastors. Having been subjected by them to a massive campaign in favor of the innovations (while disparaging and militating against the Latin liturgy, even to the point of absolutely forbidding it) they tend, however sullenly, to concur, even against their own better judgment and desires. It seems extremely inconsistent to inculcate rejection of the old liturgy into the faithful for more than a decade, and then to complain that they just do not beg for it fervently enough. Indeed, in this light, the aforementioned facts are magnified even more.

Second, the great majority of the faithful are not very vocal about their opinions. Those who are active in Church organizations can hardly be expected to voice opposition to those very reforms which have allowed them so much participation in the liturgical life of the Church in the first place. Since it is this tiny minority with which most priests are in contact, their perception of the people's opinions regarding the matter under discussion have usually seemed to be somewhat distorted (even more so, if one considers the "vested interest," so to speak, which clerics have in the reforms which they have initiated and championed).

Third, the people have already voted: "with their feet." We have witnessed in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia an unprecedented decline in religious observance and Mass attendance (so much for "renewal": is it not, honestly, "decadence"?). To an extremely large extent this is due to the wonderment (not to mention scandal) caused by drastic, upsetting, callous, and rapid change. There is also an element of disgust, of hopelessness, even of despair on the part of those who no longer feel at home in their Father's house. This is why the so-called "under-ground" parishes, which still offer the traditional rites (and manned for the most part by zealous, fiercely orthodox priests) are always full. This phenomenon simply cannot be put down as a result of certain "archconservative" elements, but as indicative of the fact that many Catholics feel starved for the dignity, profundity, prayerfulness, and Romanity of the former liturgy: all of which are sadly lacking in the new. We may add to this the agony of conscience which many continue to experience. For example, I would be very happy if you, Eminence, or anyone else would tell me how I may, with a clear mind, assist at any Mass in which there is not pronounced over the chalice the same words which Our Lord pronounced (i.e., "for many" instead of "for all men"). The words of the New Mass were not said by Our Lord, nor by any canonized saint, nor by any faithful Catholic priest in history; furthermore, they have been explicitly condemned by the Councils of Florence and Trent. It is axiomatic that one is forbidden to act upon a doubtful conscience. It is also true that in cases of doubt, one is morally obliged to take the safer course and do only what has been approved in the past. The innovators, not the traditionalists, need to explain themselves. So what is a Catholic to do? The problem is not one of disobedience or stubbornness; it is just that we have, in our youth, learned the truths of the faith all too well, and cannot without protest be induced to compromise them.

In the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, the Fathers at Vatican II unequivocally upheld the "liturgical rights" of the faithful, expressing unqualified respect for all ancient and approved liturgical customs, if, for example, the Pontiff were to declare (as he has the jurisdiction to do) that Melkite Rite Catholics were henceforth to adopt the liturgy of the West, this would surely be considered a breach of natural justice and an abuse of power. Why, then, cannot this respect and justice be extended to the faithful of the Western Church? Few things can be dearer to a people than the hallowed rites of their ancestors and the traditional symbols of their worship. Is it morally right to despoil them of this patrimony?

They are evil times in which the sheep must ask to be fed. Your Eminence, please inform the Pope that nothing but good can come from restoring to the faithful the sacred and beautiful rites which they love. The good of the Church "urgently and certainly" requires it.

Sincerely in Our Lord,
Anthony A. Mazzone

Dear Holy Father:

I would like to express my most ardent desire to see the restoration of the traditional Latin to the Church to all her liturgy; more strongly yet, to see the traditional Roman Mass once again brought back to the starving faithful.

Your urging of this restoration would work wonders. We sorely need a return to the "good fruits" prevalent before the pressured application of the New Rite. Since then liberal gradualism has been the rule and blatant abuse the order of the day. Please make more accessible this unifying, sanctifying gift of God.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
John Pfeiffer
Rose M. O'Connor

Your Grace,

Recently I learned of an enquiry by the Sacra Congregatio pro Sacramentis et Cultu Divino in Rome to all Western Rite bishops dated June 19, 1980, concerning the use of Latin in celebrating the Mass. Of particular interest to me is the second part of the enquiry, which asks, "Are there persons or groups in your diocese who insist on having Mass in Latin celebrated in the old rite (Tridentine Mass)?"

I have not read in The Voice or heard from the pulpit in my local parish, St. Richard's in Perrine, of any attempts to determine the information to reply to the Pope's expressed pastoral concern for the needs of those entrusted to his care. Therefore, I am writing you this letter to inform you of my needs.

Our Lord has commanded me to love my God with my whole heart, my whole soul, my whole mind and my whole strength. The Novus Ordo Missae, the core sacrament of the Catholic religion today, does not inspire me to do that. In fact, as I attend the vigil Mass each Saturday at St. Richard's, I am constantly distracted by the words of the immortal bard, "the saddest words of tongue or pen are those that say it might have been" resounding through my mind. Even the exhortations of St. Leonard concerning participation at Holy Mass (particularly when he describes the Mass as the sum of our religion) fail to inspire me as they should. Why? Because I know I am not carrying out my Lord's commandment. I want desperately to do just that.

As a soldier, I have had the opportunity to serve my country in many lands. The most uplifting part of that service was visiting the local churches, monasteries and missions and attending Mass there where possible. Most fortunate for me was an opportunity in Viet Nam to be a member of a choir made up of my fellow officers. We sang the solemn high Mass each Sunday at a mission and orphanage located on the outskirts of Saigon. We also had the opportunity to repeat that for a leprosarium mission located in the jungle some forty miles north of Saigon, shortly after it had been raided by the Viet Cong. The chapel, of course, was the most damaged building in the compound. Nevertheless, a solemn high Mass was celebrated there. I was amazed at the appreciation, surprise and joy displayed by the lepers, sisters and priests at our small effort. Conversely how inspiring it was to us to see the faith and devotion exhibited there. Could this be repeated today? You know the answer better than I do.

Your Grace, I desperately hunger to hear the priest facing the Blessed Sacrament give the prologue of the Mass "Introibo ad altare Dei" and make the response "Ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meam." This adequately sets the stage to celebrate the most sacred and inspiring drama on earth, the unbloody repetition of the supreme sacrifice on Calvary.

Your servant in Christ,
James W. Powers,
Col., U. S. Army, Retired

Your Grace,

About two years ago I made the decision to withdraw from my parish here in Del Rio and no longer attend the Mass as it was being celebrated then. This decision was a very difficult one to make considering the devout Catholic atmosphere in which I had been raised. I realized that it would affect not only me but, my wife and four children as well. Taking a step which meant that I would not be attending Mass in the foreseeable future was not easily arrived at. I will say, however, that it was taken with full knowledge of what I was doing, and I felt no guilt—only regret that it had to be done.

The reason? I had become tired, your Grace, not physically so but spiritually. I had become tired of hand-clapping, hand-shaking, guitars, bongos and banjos. It became progressively more difficult to attain the inner peace that I felt years ago at Mass, I would leave afterwards not sure of where I had been or what I had been a part of. In short, I began to feel that I could receive equivalent spiritual satisfaction at any one of the local Protestant churches.

I am now compelled to drive my family 300 miles to Mass on Sundays. I fully realize that I am not obligated to go to this extreme but I also realize that by not doing so I run the grave risk of endangering not only my own faith but that of my wife and children. Please understand, your Grace, I am not complaining! On the contrary, I am exceedingly grateful to be able to assist at the traditional Latin Mass. You must admit, however, it is somewhat of an inconvenience.

It is regarding this inconvenience that I write. It has come to my attention that it is within your power to eliminate my inconvenience. At this point I refer to the inquiry sent to the bishops of the world by Cardinal Knox. As you recall, the Sacra Congregatio pro Sacramentis et Cultu Divino wished to know if Masses were being celebrated in Latin, was there a demand for Latin in the liturgy, and was there a demand for a "Mass in Latin celebrated according to the old rite (Tridentine Mass)?"

Your Grace, I would gladly come to you on my knees begging you to restore to us the Tridentine Latin Mass. Permit me this bit of selfishness but, I want, deep in my heart, for my children to grow up in the same wonderful Catholic environment that I was privileged to know. The Mass is the essential part of that same environment.

I regret that I am not an accomplished theologian that I might present a scholarly argument in favor of the traditional Sacrifice. I might expound on the Council of Trent or perhaps Quo Primum, Unfortunately the very best I can do is present the innermost feelings of a very sincere Catholic, and worried parent. Please, Your Grace, come to our assistance in this life-giving matter.

Most respectfully,
Cornelius Francis Clements