By Sean L. Tobin, Secretary-Treasurer, Moncton Traditional Latin Mass Society Inc., an Associated Organization of Una Voce Canada
June 9, 2019, will go down in the history of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption Cathedral, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Moncton, the Most Reverend Valerie Vienneau, as the day the Mass in the Extraordinary Form returned to the High Altar.
Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral was officially inaugurated on November 21, 1940. Its roots lie in St. Bernard’s Parish, which in its early years served both Moncton’s English-speaking people and the French-speaking people of the Acadian community. Many families of this community can trace their histories back to the northern coast of France.
The building is one of the most majestic in the city, by its architecture and decorative appeal. It holds rich works of art that recall the life and the Faith of the Acadian people. Four white marble statues and two mural mosaics are the works of renowned Acadian artist Claude Roussel. The stained glass windows in the transept of the Cathedral evoke the religious and civic history of the Acadian people. Pope St. John Paul II visited the Cathedral during his visit to the city in 1984. Newly ordained Fr. Luc Poirier, FSSP, who celebrated the Mass, is himself a member of the Acadian people, having been born in Irishtown, New Brunswick, a small community just north of Moncton.
This was a truly exceptional affair as it was the first Mass in the Extraordinary Form celebrated on the High Alter since the proclamation of Summorum Pontificum by His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in 2007.
Fr. Poirier, a member of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, completed his studies at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Nebraska. The Fraternity is a clerical Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right, canonically erected by Pope St. John Paul II in 1988. It serves in apostolates across the world and in seven areas of Canada. Parishes are located in Quebec City, Montreal, Thorold, Ottawa, and several dioceses in Alberta and British Columbia. Its priests serve with the faithful celebration of the Traditional Mass of Pope St. Pius V and Sacraments (Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite) at the centre of their charism. The members of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, nourished through the spiritual riches of the Church’s ancient Roman liturgy, strive to sanctify the seminarians, religious, and faithful entrusted to their pastoral care.
Fr. Poirier was ordained in Ottawa by His Grace, the Most Reverend Terrence Prendergast, SJ, on May 31. Although he had celebrated his first Mass in Ottawa the morning following his ordination, he also took the time to celebrate Mass with the Traditional Latin Mass community in Quebec City on his way home to visit his family in his native province.
The province of New Brunswick is divided into four dioceses: Moncton, Saint John, Bathurst, and Edmundston. On our borders are the Diocese of Prince Edward Island and the Archdiocese of Halifax.
Fr. Poirier’s family did not know how many people to expect, but beginning around 1:00 p.m., they began arriving. They represented many of the large and small cities, towns, and villages from all three Maritime provinces, not to mention those guests who had accompanied Fr. Poirier home and took part in this wonderful celebratory service. The count taken from the choir loft indicated nearly 600 people in attendance, consisting of young people, elders, and young families. Fr. Poirier and the attendees were graced by the presence of Archbishop Vienneau and the Vicar General, Fr. Jean-Guy Dallaire, as well as several other priests of the Archdiocese.
Following the Mass, a reception was held at St. Augustine’s Church. Fr. Poirier’s family was generously assisted by the wonderful ladies of St. Lawrence O’Toole Parish, located in the village where Father was born, and of St. Augustine’s Parish. Many people took the opportunity to attend the reception and greet Fr. Poirier and the members of his large family. Following the reception, Father offered his First Blessings to all.
