The Unprofitable Servant: What Will Archbishop Chaput's Appointment Mean for Philadelphia and the TLM?

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

What Will Archbishop Chaput's Appointment Mean for Philadelphia and the TLM?

Already, some of the naysayers have weighed in because of this quote from Archbishop Charles Chaput:

“…I certainly want to be faithful to the Holy Father and his teaching about the traditional expression of the Roman liturgy in the Tridentine form.

“I supported that and will continue to support that.

“It isn’t, however, my personal interest or direction.”

I think the larger and more daunting task will be to bring some of our renegade priests in line and get them to celebrate the Novus Ordo according to the rubrics. I hate to say this, but improvisation seems to happen more in parishes staffed by religious orders, although I've certainly encountered diocesan priests who took liberties with the Mass as well. I sincerely doubt Archbishop Chaput is going to do anything to hinder celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass. In time, he may come to feel differently about his inclination to want to learn and celebrate Mass in the Extraordinary Form. But quite frankly, there are bigger fish for him to fry. While he may have been brought here because of the previous mishandling of the abuse scandal, it's clear from the commentary in this morning's Philly papers that his name has already struck fear into the hearts of Cafeteria Catholics, who are concerned about his political leanings. It's interesting to note, however, that the Archbishop has his share of detractors on the more conservative side of the aisle. His observations about Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's views on the death penalty won him much derision and criticism from folks whose Catholicism is often colored by their political leanings. This is not something that only happens with liberals. Then there are those who want to force the Church to abdicate her teachings on moral issues rather than abandon their selfish and sinful beliefs. One commentator has already mocked Chaput's "compassionate conservatism" because he expelled a child from a Denver Catholic school who was being raised by two lesbians.

When will these folks ever get it? There is nothing compassionate about watching in silence as souls fall into Hell.

8 comments:

Joe @ Defend Us In BattleJuly 20, 2011 at 12:51 PM
As someone devoted to the Mass in the usus antiquior I often find that it is my focus when it comes to "church issues." I do know that as an Archbishop this is not the MAIN focus of his job. This is a small portion.

So I agree with you, I don't think he will do anyhting to hinder it, and it might even see improvements. Yet, Philly has some bigger issues to contend with - and before folks say: "THE MASS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING>...." what I mean is that things need to get back to the most basic of places in areas. Even I know that you cant cut off one arm and put it on the other side of you. It still gives you one arm.
ReplyDelete
Replies
TLWJuly 20, 2011 at 1:22 PM
Joe, he has his work cut out for him here but I'm betting he's the right man for the job. When it comes to the Mass, you get it. I wish others did.
Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDelete
Replies
MannyJuly 20, 2011 at 8:51 PM
The more I read about Chaput, the more I want this man to be our next Pope! If you go to Anchoress, there are a few blogs about him, including a 40 minute interview clip that was wonderful to sit through. I sat through the whole 40 minutes last night. We have a fine Bishop here in NYC, Bp Dolan, but I think you guys over in Philly really hit a gold mine.
ReplyDelete
Replies
AnonymousJuly 21, 2011 at 2:52 AM
I was wondering the same thing about Chaput's new assignment in Philly. No real Tridentine Masses in Denver so unless there is something already established in there Philly, don't count on anything be too different. As a clarification Mass as much part of the overall picture as is whatever else is confronting a diocese. Lousy Masses mean lousy leadership and unwholesome Teaching.

We here in Los Angeles were hoping for some great things with Archbishop Gomez... but as of late, the only change around here is the name on the door. :| Those who have Bishop Finn of Kansas City-Saint Joseph, or Bishop Cordileone of Oakland, are the lucky ones. ...The continued roll of the Benedictine dice.

Matt
ReplyDelete
Replies
TLWJuly 21, 2011 at 8:03 AM
Hi Matt
I'm very fortunate to live in one of the few parishes in Philadelphia that offers a Sunday TLM. We are also lucky to have the TLM on holy days and other important feasts in the church. I hope someday we will have daily Mass in the Extraordinary Form, but I count my blessings every day that we have what we do in my parish. So yes, if folks were look to Archbishop Chaput to make an oasis out of a Novus Ordo desert, that's not going to happen. Also, while Cardinal Rigali is much maligned, people forget that it was he who made it mandatory for every seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo to learn the Extraordinary Form of the Mass.
Take care
Joyce
ReplyDelete
Replies
AnonymousJuly 21, 2011 at 10:13 PM
Dear Joyce:

Thank for your kind reply. I am so glad you have TLMs in your area which you can attend with regularity. To clarify a little more, we also have Tridentine Masses in around the Los Angeles area but as you may know, territory is vast out here and so getting to any given Tridentine Mass for a great many Faithful is really impractical. As for any of the Los Angeles parishes which offer Tridentine Masses, they are nil. There are parishes staffed by religious communities here and they are the ones offering the Classical Masses.

Insofar as actually making a Diocesan-wide effort at promoting the Extraordinary Form is nonexistent at best. Archbishop Gomez has been here barely a year so we prayerfully await something more profound than has been lately.

I am impressed with the effort made by Rigali to mandate learning the Tridentine Mass in the seminaries. That is certainly a great step forward and bit of news not widely known.

Please keep us in your thoughts prayers and we trust Our Lord will see us through. The efforts of our Present Holy Father certainly is not lacking.

God bless you.

Matt
ReplyDelete
Replies
TLWJuly 22, 2011 at 2:08 PM
Surely, Matt, we will keep you in our prayers. On August 25th we are going to start to pray a novena to St. Pius X that all those who wish to have access to the TLM will have their prayers answered. BTW, the lead server at our church is also from L.A. I definitely understand the problem of access given the vastness of the area in which you live. I know there are folks who drive an hour or more each way to get to a TLM on Sunday but that's not a very practical option for most.
We just have to keep praying. I never thought it would happen at my parish, believe me.
God Bless you, too!
Joyce
ReplyDelete
Replies
Mary ChristineJuly 23, 2011 at 3:12 PM
Archbishop Chaput will likely ruffle a lot of feathers. And that is a good thing. I have tremendous respect for him. I have been blessed to meet him a couple of times.

Just as a little example, he wrote an article in our local Catholic newspaper about how to dress appropriately for Mass... complete with drawings showing how a woman's shoulders should be covered. That's a little example, but it meant a lot to me.
ReplyDelete
Replies

Add comment

Comments which reflect true Christian charity are always welcome. Comments which attack the Pope, the Church, priests or other bloggers will go in the dustbin, especially if they are anonymous. Thank you and God Bless you!

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Mary, Queen of Peace

Ever glorious and blessed Mary, Queen of Virgins, Mother of Mercy, hope and comfort of dejected and desolate souls, through that sword of sorrow which pierced thy tender heart whilst thine only Son, Christ Jesus, our Lord, suffered death and ignominy on the cross; through that filial tenderness and pure love He had for thee, grieving in thy grief, whilst from His cross He recommended thee to the care and protection of His beloved disciple, St. John, take pity, I beseech thee, on my poverty and necessities; have compassion on my anxieties and cares; assist and comfort me in all my infirmities and miseries, of every kind whatsoever. Thou art the Mother of Mercies, the sweet comforter and only refuge of the needy and the orphan, of the desolate and afflicted. Cast, therefore, an eye of pity on a miserable, forlorn child of Eve, and hear my prayer; for since, in just punishment of my sins, I find myself encompassed by a multitude of evils, and oppressed with much anguish of spirit, wither can I fly for more secure shelter, O amiable Mother of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, than under the wings of thy maternal protection? Attend, therefore, I beseech thee, with an ear of pity and compassion, to my humble and earnest request. I ask it, through the bowels of mercy of thy dear Son; Through that love and condescension wherewith He embraced our nature, when, in compliance with the divine Will, thou gavest thy consent, and whom, after the expiration of nine months thou didst bring forth from the chaste enclosure of thy womb, to visit the world, and bless it with His presence. I ask it, through that anguish of mind wherewith thy beloved Son, our dear Saviour, was overwhelmed on the Mount of Olives, when He besought His eternal Father to remove from Him, if possible, the bitter chalice of His future passion. I ask it, through the threefold repetition of His prayers in the garden, whence afterwards, with dolorous steps and mournful tears, thou didst accompany Him to the doleful theatre of His death and sufferings. I ask it, through the welts and bruises of His virginal flesh, occasioned by the cords and whips wherewith He was bound and scourged, when stripped of His seamless garment, for which His executioners afterwards cast lots. I ask it, through the scoffs and ignominies by which He was insulted; the false accusations and unjust sentence by which He was condemned to death, and which He bore with heavenly patience. I ask it, through His bitter tears and bloody sweat; His silence and resignation; His sadness and grief of heart. I ask it, through the blood which trickled from His royal and Sacred Head, when struck with the sceptre of a reed and pierced with His crown of thorns. I ask it, through the excruciating torments He suffered, when His hands and feet were fastened with gross nails to the tree of the cross. I ask it, through His vehement thirst, and bitter potion of vinegar and gall. I ask it, through His dereliction on the cross when He exclaimed, "My God! my God! why hast Thou forsaken me?" I ask it, through His mercy extended to the good thief, and through His recommending His precious soul and spirit into the hands of His eternal Father before He expired, saying, "It is consummated." I ask it, through the blood mixed with water, which issued from His Sacred Side when pierced with a lance, and whence a flood of grace and mercy has flowed to us. I ask it, through His immaculate life, bitter passion and ignominious death on the cross, at which nature itself was thrown into convulsions, by the bursting of rocks, rending of the veil of the Temple, the earthquake, and the darkness of the sun and moon. I ask it, through His descent into hell, where He confronted the Saints of the old law with His presence, and led the captivity captive. I ask it, through His glorious victory over death, when He arose again to life on the third day, and through the joy which His appearance for forty days after gave thee, His blessed Mother, His Apostles, and the rest of His Disciples; when in thine and their presence He miraculously ascended into heaven. I ask it, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, infused into the hearts of His Disciples, when He descended upon them in the form of fiery tongues, and by which they were inspired with zeal in the conversion of the world, when they went to preach the gospel. I ask it, through the awful appearance of thy Son, at the last dreadful day, when He shall come to judge the living and the dead, and the world, by fire. I ask it, through the compassion He bore thee in His life, and the unspeakable joy thou didst feel at thine assumption into heaven, where thou art eternally absorbed in the sweet contemplation of His divine perfections. O glorious and ever blessed Virgin! comfort the heart of thy supplicant, by obtaining for me, (Mention your prayer intention here...) And as I am persuaded my Divine Saviour doth honour thee as His beloved Mother, to whom He refuses nothing, because thou asketh nothing contrary to His honour, so let me speedily experience the efficacy of thy powerful intercession, according to the tenderness of thy maternal affection, and His filial loving heart, who mercifully granteth the requests and complieth with the desires of those that love and fear Him. Wherefore, O most blessed Virgin, beside the object of my present petition, and whatever else I may stand in need of, obtain for me also of thy dear Son, our Lord and our God, a lively faith, firm hope, perfect charity, true contrition of heart, unfeigned tears of compunction, sincere confession, condign satisfaction, abstinence from sin, love of God and my neighbour, contempt of the world, patience to suffer affronts and ignominies, nay, even, if necessary, an opprobrious death itself, for love of thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Obtain likewise for me, O sacred Mother of God, perseverance in good works, performance of good resolutions, mortification of self-will, a pious conversation through life, and, at my last moments, strong and sincere repentance, accompanied by such a lively and attentive presence of mind, as may enable me to receive the last Sacrament of the Church worthily, and die in thy friendship and favour. Lastly, obtain through thy Son, I beseech thee, for the souls of my parents, brethren, relatives and benefactors, both living and dead, life everlasting, from the only Giver of every good and perfect gift, the Lord God Almighty, to Whom be all power now and forever. Amen.

Prayer of St. Bonaventure

Pierce, O most sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most joyous and healthful wound of Thy love, and with true, calm and most holy apostolic charity, that my soul may ever languish and melt with entire love and longing for Thee, may yearn for Thee and for thy courts, may long to be dissolved and to be with Thee.
Grant that my soul may hunger after Thee, the Bread of Angels, the refreshment of holy souls, our daily and super substantial bread, having all sweetness and savor and every delightful taste.
May my heart ever hunger after and feed upon Thee, Whom the angels desire to look upon, and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness of Thy savor; may it ever thirst for Thee, the fountain of life, the fountain of wisdom and knowledge, the fountain of eternal light, the torrent of pleasure, the fullness of the house of God;
may it ever compass Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, run to Thee, come up to Thee, meditate on Thee, speak of Thee, and do all for the praise and glory of Thy name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with ease and affection, with perseverance to the end; and be Thou alone ever my hope, my entire confidence, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility, my peace, my sweetness, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession, my treasure; in Whom may my mind and my heart be ever fixed and firm and rooted immovably. Amen.

What You Read On This Blog....

You may use anything I have written on this blog. You do not need to credit me, though it would be nice if you did to increase traffic to this blog. Somewhere in "The Story of a Soul", St. Therese commented that she could not concern herself with whether someone took credit for one of her ideas or observations because, after all, everything that is good and holy is inspired not by ourselves but by the Holy Spirit. If you find something useful here that you'd like to print on your own blog or elsewhere, be my guest. It doesn't "belong" to me in the first place.

If you email me, rest assured nothing you send me will be used, unless you have explicitly granted me permission to do so.

Blog links which appear on The Unprofitable Servant may contain content with which I do not necessarily agree.

God Bless You!

The Unprofitable Servant

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

What Will Archbishop Chaput's Appointment Mean for Philadelphia and the TLM?

8 comments:

Mary, Queen of Peace

St Michael the Archangel

St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi

St. Teresa Benedicta of The Cross