The following Traditional Latin Masses at Holy Rosary Cathedral in Vancouver are in addition to the regular Friday and Sunday Masses and will take place at 6:30 p.m. on the dates shown:
Thursday, June 24, Nativity of St. John the Baptist – Sung Mass (sign up here)
Tuesday, June 29, Sts. Peter and Paul – Low Mass (no prior signup required)
Thursday, July 1, The Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ – Low Mass [CANCELLED]
Friday, July 2, Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Solemn High Mass
Links to the signup forms for these Masses will be added as they become available.
[UPDATE, June 29]: Starting July 1, all church capacity limits and restrictions in British Columbia will be lifted. For details, please visit the BC Catholic.
On Friday, June 11, there will be a High Mass at Holy Rosary Cathedral in downtown Vancouver at 6:30 p.m. in honour of the Feast of the Sacred Heart. To attend in person, please sign up here.
On Thursday, June 3, there will be a Solemn High Mass at Holy Rosary Cathedral in downtown Vancouver at 6:30 p.m. in honour of the Feast of Corpus Christi. To attend in person, please sign up here.
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite is now offered twice a week at Holy Rosary Cathedral, 646 Richards Street, Vancouver:
In-person attendance is possible on a signup basis only (first come, first served) up to a maximum of 40 spaces at present. [Note: The number has been increased to 65 as of June 15, 2021.]
For Sunday afternoon Masses, sign up at the Holy Rosary Cathedral website. The signup form will be posted the preceding Tuesday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
For Friday evening Masses, sign up at the door (first come, first served). Doors open 30 minutes and close 10 minutes before Mass starts.
For special feast day Masses, sign up at the Holy Rosary Cathedral website. A special signup form will be posted a few days before the day of the Mass. For the announcement and link, check the “Related Posts” at the bottom of this webpage.
To receive updates and other information about Latin Masses at Holy Rosary Cathedral, please sign up here.
The latest edition of Gregorius Magnus, for Spring 2021, is now available. Gregorius Magnus is the newsletter of the International Una Voce Federation (FIUV). It can downloaded as a PDF file or viewed on the ISSUU platform.
This issue includes a report on the events in Rome last October in place of the usual Summorum Pontificum pilgrimage. It also includes an English translation of a key passage from the French bishops’ summary report to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) on the implementation of Summorum Pontificum, a document that had necessitated a response from FIUV in February this year.
Two articles will be of particular interest to Canadian readers:
A compilation of the remaining comments, including those from Canada, from respondents to the FIUV survey on the implementation of Summorum Pontificum, which were included in a report submitted by FIUV to the CDF last year with information from 368 dioceses in 56 countries (starting on page 5)
A report on the Solemn High Mass celebrated at Vancouver’s Holy Rosary Cathedral on September 14, 2020, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (on page 31) (for more details and photos, please see the original article on our website)
It has come to the attention of Una Voce Scotland that His Grace Arthur Roche, Archbishop Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, has launched a feeble attack on the Extraordinary Form of the Mass in an essay that he has written and which has been forwarded to bishops around the world.
Entitled, ‘The Roman Missal of Saint Paul VI : ‘A witness to unchanging faith and uninterrupted tradition‘, the article was issued on the 19th February 2020, only a few months before the Cardinal Prefect of the CDW and ally of tradition, His Eminence Cardinal Sarah, offered his resignation to Pope Francis at the age of 75. February 2020 was also only a short time before the Vatican survey on the implementation of Summorum Ponificum was issued to the bishops of the world by the Vatican
The article makes a number of weak claims that the Novus Ordo Mass represents an authentic development of the Roman Rite, arguments that have been thoroughly dealt with the the FIUV and preeminent figures such as Michael Davies, Prof. Peter Kwasniewski and Dr. Joseph Shaw to name a few.
Archbishop Roche, former chairman of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) and since 2012 the Secretary of the CDW at the Vatican rehearses tired and often unsupported charges against the Traditional Latin Mass.
The St. Monica Society was launched by Una Voce Canada in August 2019. Each week, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite is offered for the conversion or return to the Catholic faith of all those enrolled in the Society.
Una Voce Canada members in good standing may enroll individuals or groups of individuals by sending either:
A letter addressed to Una Voce Canada (Attn. St. Monica Society), PO Box 30027, North Vancouver, BC V7H 2Y8
Please provide the following:
Your name
Your membership renewal date (found on your newsletter mailing envelope)
Names of individuals or groups of individuals to be enrolled (for example, “John Smith” or “The family of John Smith, Vancouver, BC”)
There is no limit to the number of individuals or groups you may enroll. No stipend is required. Donations will be gratefully accepted and used to provide stipends to the priests offering Masses for the Society.
We reproduce below a statement issued by the International Una Voce Federation (FIUV) on February 9, 2021.
Foederatio Internationalis Una Voce Statement on the Report of the French Bishops’ Conference (CEF) on the Implementation of Summorum Pontificum
The FIUV has become aware of a document, in the public domain, containing a summary of the responses made by French bishops to the questionnaire sent to them by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, on the subject of the implementation of the Apostolic Letter Summorum Pontificum. Although this document does not appear to have been intended for publication, its authenticity has not been denied, and a reaction to it seems necessary.
We note first that the document adopts a consistently hostile tone towards the ancient Latin liturgical tradition, to the priests who celebrate it, and to the faithful who attend it. This has understandably caused considerable hurt among French Catholics attached to this tradition. The document does not speak, on behalf of the bishops of France, about these sons and daughters of the Church with the words of a shepherd and father. In the words of Una Voce France, we do not find
… the slightest trace of empathy, cordiality, or ‘heart’ in them as they say in one place. Instead, we find contempt, at best indifference, towards those narrow-minded beings, without theology, without charity, that are the faithful to the ancient Latin Mass. A Mass that so many generations followed, and from which they nourished their faith … which is ours today.[1]
Nevertheless, the impression of hostility made by this document masks many positive features of the reception of Summorum Pontificum in France. The document acknowledges these phenomena with a singular lack of grace, or without noting even that they are good things. It refers, for example, to ‘large families’ requesting the EF; to ‘weak’ young people seeking out celebrations and finding in them a supportive spiritual environment; of seminarians learning to celebrate the EF in their own time, without the assistance of their formators; and to this younger, more traditionally-inclined generation of priests, celebrating the Ordinary Form with greater reverence and fidelity.
Vídimus stellam ejus in Oríente, et vénimus cum munéribus adoráre Dóminum.
“We have seen a star in the East, and are come with gifts to adore the Lord.” (Matthew 2:2; from the Mass of the Epiphany, January 6th)
So quotes Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalene in Divine Intimacy, his guide to Carmelite spirituality. He continues:
[The Magi] saw the star and immediately set out. They had no doubts: their unbounded faith was strong and sure. They did not hesitate at the prospect of the trials of a long journey: they had generous hearts. They did not postpone the journey: their souls were ready.
A star often appears in the heaven of our souls; it is an inspiration from God, clear and intimate, urging us to greater generosity and calling us to a life of closer union with Him. Like the Magi, we too must always follow our star with faith, promptness and selfless generosity. If we allow it to guide us, it will certainly lead us to God; it will bring us to the One whom we are seeking.
The Magi did not give up their quest, although the star – at one point – disappeared from their sight. We should follow their example and their perseverance, even when we are in interior darkness. This is a trial of faith which is overcome only by the exercise of pure, naked faith. I know that He wills it, I know that God is calling, and this suffices for me: Scio cui credidi et certus sum; I know whom I have believed, and I am certain. (2 Tim 1:12) No matter what happens, I shall trust Him.
In this spirit, let us accompany the Magi to adore the new-born King. “And as they brought forth from among their treasures mystical gifts, let us from our hearts bring forth something fit to offer Him” (Roman Breviary).
***
It has been about thirteen months since Catherine and I made the decision to follow our star, namely, to make “composing music for the greater glory of God and the strengthening of souls” the focus of my musical life. However, as for many of you, this year has been a cloudy one, often concealing our star. Nonetheless, we follow the Magi’s example and persevere, “even when we are in interior darkness.”
Many of you persevered with us, providing spiritual and financial support. With that support, and the tireless dedication of filmmaker Nathan Douglas, we are now able to present the short documentary CANTUS FIRMUS – The Music of Mark Emerson Donnelly.
If you find CANTUS FIRMUS inspiring, and wish to support us as we continue our journey of creating new music which rests firmly on the foundation of Catholic tradition, we would be most grateful. Please consider making a donation:
Una Voce Canada (select “MED Composer” from the dropdown menu; Revenue Canada tax receipt available)
Send a cheque (payable to Una Voce Canada; Memo: MED Composer) to Una Voce Canada, P.O. Box 30027, North Vancouver, BC V7H 2Y8 (Revenue Canada tax receipt available)
On the afternoon of Thursday, November 19th, 2020, I was preparing for Offertorium’s evening rehearsal. Nothing extraordinary about this, except that I got a text at about 5 pm from one of the singers asking if anything had changed about rehearsal due to the announcement by British Columbia’s chief health officer about 30 minutes earlier. What was her announcement? All in-person public worship was cancelled, effective the next morning!
We were preparing for the Mass of the Last Sunday after Pentecost. In the Gospel for that day, Our Lord tells His disciples to watch for the “abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet” (Matthew 24:15).
What was this“abomination of desolation”? It was the order by King Antiochus IV in the second century BC, outlawing the Jewish temple sacrifice of the lamb to the one true God, and, likely, instituting in its place a sacrifice to pagan idols. But in this passage from the Gospel according to Matthew, Our Lord was telling His disciples to watch in their own time (the first century AD) for the abomination of desolation. This is most often interpreted as a reference to the destruction of the temple and all of Jerusalem in 70 AD by the Roman general (later emperor) Titus. Was this a different abomination or the same?
Fast forward to today. The public attendance of THE sacrifice of the Lamb (at Holy Mass) is being outlawed in my home province. Is there a new Antiochus, a new Titus? I’ll leave that for you to ponder. However, as Matthew’s narrative continues, Jesus says: “He that readeth, let him understand” (Matthew 24:15).
St. Paul, in the first century, wrote: “Let us consider one another, to provoke unto charity and to good works: Not forsaking our assembly, as some are accustomed; but comforting one another, and so much the more as you see the [latter] day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25). This was at a time of extreme persecution of Christians. (Remember the Church was not given official sanction by the state until Constantine in the fourth century.) Yet, St. Paul encourages them to meet. Hmm …
Three weeks ago, it was warm and sunny at our home in White Rock, British Columbia, unusual for December. We were having some exterior home repairs done, and Mike the roofer was thankful for a pleasant day. Many of our neighbours were out for walks, with hardly a mask to be seen among them: young, old, mothers pushing baby strollers. Everything seemed normal. Not a new normal, just normal; the only normal there is.
It made me think of old war movies. Though the films were in black and white, the characters in them lived in colour! Whether or not you think the COVID-19 protocols are useful or necessary, most people (except the officials who flaunt their privilege) find them to be an arduous burden. But WE still LIVE in COLOUR. So even as we see that “upon the earth [there shall be] distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the roaring of the sea and the waves: men withering away for fear and expectation of what shall come upon the whole world” (Luke 21:25-26), there is beauty all around us. As the title of the TV series and book by Bishop Fulton J. Sheen proclaimed, “Life is worth living!”
This takes me back to the Last Sunday after Pentecost and the abomination of desolation. This is pretty heavy stuff. If this abomination is an ongoing thing – the time of the prophet Daniel, of Our Lord, and even now – we can’t simply wither away in fear, expecting the end of the world! We must meditate on it, yes, so we are ready for the second coming of Christ, but we also have to consider (and give thanks for) the gifts that God has bestowed upon us.
Darkness and Light
If I may call upon my insight as a composer, I think, perhaps, that is the inspiration which moved William Byrd (1543-1623) to write his double motet “Ne irascaris, Domine” and “Civitas Sancti tui.” The text, from Isaias 64:9-10, reads:
Be not very angry, O Lord, and remember no longer our iniquity: behold, see we are all thy people. The city of thy sanctuary is become a desert, Sion is made a desert, Jerusalem is desolate.
Pretty dark, eh? It is probably a text upon which Byrd meditated frequently; he was composing at a time when it was illegal to be a Catholic in England. In fact, it is believed that Byrd saw such biblical texts as particularly applicable to the persecution of Catholics in his day. His collection of motets, Cantiones Sacrae, of which “Ne irascaris, Domine” and “Civitas Sancti tui” are a part, were very likely written as an ode to the suffering of his English Catholic community. Byrd himself was fined and jailed for attending Mass. Friends and colleagues were executed in the Tower of London.
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