It's an interesting calculation (based on a rough tally of LMS and SSPX Christmas Masses (Midnight and Christmas Day itself) that 26 of them will be offered by SSPX priests and 43 through the normal parish channels.
On the one hand it is impressive that the Society has such a strong input in the provision of the Latin Mass but, on the other, it is a damning indictment of how poor the provision is within the mainstream Church.
"Oh, but we do not have enough priests" howl their Lordships but they do or, rather, they could have them, if they thought and planned as a business person would.
For a start, they could implement the request made by Pope Benedict for parishes to federate, to form a cluster with a small number of priests at the hub. Centralised to the benefit of the priests (fraternal support both practical and spiritual) and the people (a priest always available day or night).
Perhaps the Bishops could then call a halt to dragging young African, Indian and Philippino priests away from their own countries, where they are desperately needed and, instead, open up a dialogue with some of the traditional orders; the FSSP and ICKSP.
It's not rocket science.
And then, in a relatively short period of time perhaps we would be reflecting on the small number of SSPX Christmas EF Masses compared with the vast number offered by the parish churches.
PS I am grateful to those who pointed out that my original heading did not quite add up. It made a sort of perverse sense in my fevered brain but, it makes much better sense in its amended form.
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| Making provision for the Latin Mass is much simpler |
On the one hand it is impressive that the Society has such a strong input in the provision of the Latin Mass but, on the other, it is a damning indictment of how poor the provision is within the mainstream Church.
"Oh, but we do not have enough priests" howl their Lordships but they do or, rather, they could have them, if they thought and planned as a business person would.
For a start, they could implement the request made by Pope Benedict for parishes to federate, to form a cluster with a small number of priests at the hub. Centralised to the benefit of the priests (fraternal support both practical and spiritual) and the people (a priest always available day or night).
Perhaps the Bishops could then call a halt to dragging young African, Indian and Philippino priests away from their own countries, where they are desperately needed and, instead, open up a dialogue with some of the traditional orders; the FSSP and ICKSP.
It's not rocket science.
And then, in a relatively short period of time perhaps we would be reflecting on the small number of SSPX Christmas EF Masses compared with the vast number offered by the parish churches.
PS I am grateful to those who pointed out that my original heading did not quite add up. It made a sort of perverse sense in my fevered brain but, it makes much better sense in its amended form.
For a start, they could implement the request made by Pope Benedict for parishes to federate, to form a cluster with a small number of priests at the hub. Centralised to the benefit of the priests (fraternal support both practical and spiritual) and the people (a priest always available day or night).
ReplyDeletein the first world backwaters, not talking of Wales, you get the feeling there's nothing bishop would love more than to shut up shop (he tashlikhed - cast off - his priestly appearance long time passing). ageing, isolated, transient new age priest, sent hither and thither, with only the crust of the NO to feed the waiting sheep. if a priest or bishop has a love for that which preceded his own advent in the Life of God's Holy Church, he won't become a shepherd who's so bored with the sheep and handing out their 'feed', that goes to bed at night dreams of converting to Presbytarianism.
p.s the 'edit' prevented the quote marks on your, 'For a start...' many priests look like lost souls. I met a bishop who seemed like the lostest soul I'd ever met.
ReplyDeleteNo, that's a third, not a half.
ReplyDeleteThe rest is correct, though.
Your math is off..."more than half" aren't offered by the SSPX...it's about 38% of the Masses to be offered on Christmas.
ReplyDelete26/68=~.38*100=~38%
Only 3 Masses though for Christmas day in the whole of the Westminster diocese.
ReplyDeleteUmm......yes, my maths were off, sorry. I meant to express the fact that, of the 43 mainstream Masses, the SSPX had managed to put on more than half (if that doesn't sound too Irish). Badly phrased but, the essence is still there; the SSPX are doing much, much more than the mainstream church. Thanks all.
ReplyDeleteWell, one third is half of two thirds.
DeleteSimon, George Osborne would be proud of you.
DeleteI've now amended the heading and added a postscript. Thanks again to all.
Gideon? A mere politician.
DeletePerfectly understandable, Mr. Collins. Sometimes the written word just doesn't get one's point across the same way it would come across in person…perhaps why our Lord never wrote anything down nor did He command His followers to do so!
DeleteFr. Ray Blake is kind enough to offer Mass locally on Christmas Day. He celebrates the Dawn Mass in the Extraordinary Form.
ReplyDeleteI think I shall be there. It is only a Low Mass, I would love to attend the Missa Solemnis at Blackfen but it is just too far away from me.
Menarelikevino - met Fr Ray at Blackfen in November - another great blogging priest! I fear I shall have nothing on Christmas Day! Another dry Mass!
ReplyDeleteGreat. Maybe people will wake up and see the truth.
ReplyDelete~Hannah