What does the Pope's letter direct concerning the Mass? Pope Benedict affirms the continuity of the Roman Rite of the Sacred Liturgy, and emphasizes the lasting value of the form of the Mass that existed before Vatican II. At the same time, he makes it clear that the Mass we use today is the Ordinary Form of the Mass for Catholics and that this form, celebrated in the vernacular or modern day languages of the people, will continue to be the usual way we experience the Eucharistic Liturgy and the other sacraments.
In the Apostolic Letter the Pope calls the 1962 Latin Mass the Extraordinary Form of the Latin Rite, and the English (vernacular) form we continue to use, the Ordinary Form. He said they are not two rites, but two different, valid, and lawful forms of the same Rite.

How and when may this Extraordinary Form of the Latin Mass be celebrated? The Pope says that, as of Sept. 14 of this year priests are free to celebrate the Extraordinary Form privately without any other specific permission. He is quick to add that they should be careful to do so only after they have learned this form of the Mass and are able to celebrate it correctly, reverently and faithfully. He reminds priests and bishops that, in fact, we must always celebrate the Mass, in either form, in faithful accord with the liturgical directives of the Church. No one, including the bishop, has the authority to modify the Church's liturgical ritual, beyond the specific options indicated in the rites.
The Pope encourages pastors and bishops to respond to the legitimate requests of the faithful to be provided this older form of the Mass. I am pleased to say that, in our Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, my predecessors, Bishop John Sullivan and Bishop Raymond Boland have cooperated with earlier such directives of the Vatican to allow a limited use of the Latin Mass by "indult." It will take a while for other priests to be suitably trained in the celebration of the Extraordinary Form. The fitting celebration of the older form of the Mass will also be practically limited by the need for a proper place or setting for this form.

The Pope says that it may be proper to establish "personal parishes" for the Latin form of the Mass. Do we have such a "parish?" About a year and a half ago, I made possible a broader use of the Latin Mass by establishing the Oratory of Old St. Patrick and allowing this group to exist as a kind of "personal parish" under the pastoral care of a wonderful group of priests called the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest. Until they complete the restoration of historic Old St Patrick church - at Cherry and 8th Street in downtown Kansas City - the pro-rector of the Oratory, Father Denis Buchholz, celebrates Mass each day at Our Lady of Sorrows Church on Gillham Road. All are welcome to come to these Masses at any time. Indeed, I know the members of the Oratory would welcome the support of other Catholics in the Diocese as they, like other parishes, persevere in a capital campaign to ready St. Patrick.

Why did the Pope give this affirmation of the older form of the Mass? I have expressed a number of times my love for the "Novus Ordo," what we now call the Ordinary Form. Though as a young server I remember the "old Mass," I grew up with the Mass in English. It is the Mass of my priesthood and perhaps my greatest daily joy is to celebrate this Mass. When this Mass is celebrated reverently and in a manner faithful to the liturgical books, it is a magnificent gift and instrument for worship. It remains the Ordinary Form of the Mass.
At the same time, to those who have come to recognize the beauty, power and integrity of the older Latin Mass, Pope Benedict wants to assert that this form of the Mass is to remain part of the heritage of the Church.

Why did the Pope issue his letter at this time? In a letter to bishops accompanying Summorum Pontificum, the Holy Father expresses his hope for reconciliation with those who, since the Second Vatican Council, have broken with the Church in some ways, while retaining their veneration of this Latin form of the Sacred Liturgy. He has expressed his desire "to assist the Society of St. Pius X to recover full unity with the Successor of Peter." Just a few days after Summorum Pontificum, the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a brief theological document (five questions and answers) that clarifies the definitions of what Catholics mean by the term "the Church." These questions have sometimes been at the center of the doctrinal dispute with some "traditional Catholics." The concise clarifications of the Congregation show the continuity of the doctrine on "the Church" - both before and after the Second Vatican Council, and provide a sort of mini-Catechism helpful to us all.

How will we implement the directives of the Pope's Apostolic Letter in this diocese? While we re-read and study this directive of Pope Benedict XVI, the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, to whom the Holy Father has given competence to respond to additional questions about the use of these two forms of the Mass, will be issuing more detailed information about how best to proceed. I ask priests to keep me informed of their desire and plans to celebrate the Latin Mass, and to refer to me for evaluation particular requests to expand its public use. In the meantime, faithful who wish to renew their acquaintance with the older form of the Mass may do so readily at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish.
We will affirm all that the Pope presents by being more diligent than ever concerning the faithful celebration of the Ordinary Form of the Mass in every parish and religious community. In every instance the right of the faithful to experience the Mass in its integrity and in accord with the authentic liturgical directives, most recently the Revised General Instruction of the Mass and "Redemptions Sacramentum" should be safeguarded.

Extraordinary Form of the Mass at the Cathedral: At 10 a.m., on Saturday, Sept. 15, the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, I will preside over the celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Mass at the main altar of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. In this way I wish to join with all of you in giving filial assent to the prerogative of Pope Benedict XVI in emphasizing the continuity of the Latin Rite of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. There we will lift our prayers with the Supreme Pontiff, through our Blessed Mother to the Eternal Father of Mercies for a meaningful reconciliation of Catholics. In this way we hope, with Gods' help, as "the Church of Christ [to] offer worthy worship to the Divine Majesty for the praise and glory of His name and for the good of all His Holy Church."

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