What (if any) plans does Curé have for offering the Latin Mass?
As of now there are no plans here at Curé of Ars to offer the “Latin Mass”. By this I take it you mean the Mass of the 1962 Missal of Pope John XXIII, which is the Mass celebrated previously to the 1970 Missal of Pope Paul VI which we celebrate now. The new Mass which is the “ordinary” form is most often celebrated here in English, though it is possible to celebrate it in Latin (or do parts in Latin). The older form is “extraordinary” and among other differences is always celebrated in Latin.
There are at least a couple of reasons that Curé currently has no plans to offer the “Latin Mass”:
(1) Neither Msgr. Charles nor I am qualified to celebrate it! This would take some serious training. Celebrating the Mass in whatever language or by whatever form, should always be done well. A priest is not even allowed to celebrate the “Latin Mass” unless he has a minimum amount of knowledge and ability in the rite.
(2) Pope Benedict’s “motu proprio” authorizing the use of the older form states that for a Latin Mass to be offered as a parish Mass, there must be a “stable” group of the faithful attached to the previous liturgical tradition. Right now there has been little interest shown—certainly nothing to qualify as a “stable” group. The majority instead have expressed their appreciation of the current Mass. However, if one is interested or curious about the Latin Mass, there are plenty of opportunities in nearby parishes to see it celebrated well. Blessed Sacrament Church in Kansas City, KS is one such place.
-Fr. Greg
