The Congregation for the Divine Worship is rumoured to be preparing a document modifying some of the provisions of Benedict XVI 's July 2007 Summorum Pontificum, specifying the circumstances in which priests may celebrate the Mass in the extraordinary form according to the traditional Latin (Tridentine) Mass.

Rumours about possible restrictions imposed on Summorum Pontificum started last week when the Italian bishops conference gathered in Rome for their annual plenary assembly.

At the closed-door meeting with the bishops, Pope Francis hinted at new regulations about the celebrations of the Mass in the extraordinary form.

According to two bishops a the meeting, Francis said a third draft of the document is currently being examined.

With Summorum Pontificum, Benedict universally liberalised the celebration of the Mass according to the Missal of St. John XXIII.

When he issued his letter to bishops Benedict said:

"in the history of the liturgy there is growth and progress, but no rupture. What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too, and it cannot be all of a sudden entirely forbidden or even considered harmful.

"I would like to draw attention to the fact that this Missal [that of 1962] was never juridically abrogated and, consequently, in principle, was always permitted."

Although Francis has not provided any details, a source at the Congregation for the Divine Worship says the modifications would restore the need to get consent from the local bishop to celebrate Mass in Latin.

They also said this is one of several possible changes that "have been requested by some local bishops, complaining about the need to better regulate the conditions for celebrating the Mass in the Ancient Rite."

Catering for such a small group "can be troublesome in dioceses with priests' shortage," the Congregation for the Divine Worship source says.

It is possible that the rumoured changes have been on the Pope's radar for some time.

Last year, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith sent a nine-point questionnaire about Summorum Pontificum to the presidents of bishops' conferences worldwide. The questionnaire responded to the Pope's wish to be "informed about the current application" of the motu proprio.

Sources say one of the proposals being considered is that priests who want to celebrate the traditional Mass in Latin will have to establish a specific community at a specific church.

Source

• Catholic News Agency
• Image: YouTube
  

Sr Anne Marie, formerly known as Hannah Loeman, professed her vows before Tridentine priest, Fr Thomas Le Gal and her fellow nun, Mother Irene.

"I arrived here from New Zealand in March 2017 and in September 2017, I received the habit as a novice and today I have made my first profession of vows for a period of three years," said Sr Anne Marie, who will live in a wooden hut or cell. Read more

A quasi-parish is the equivalent of a parish under canon law, with some exceptions. It can later become a parish at the discretion of the local bishop.

"In response to a growing interest, it has become timely to provide additional pastoral care for those wishing to participate in Divine Worship in the Extraordinary Form," Chaput says.

The archbishop made his decision after consulting with local pastors, local priests who celebrate the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, and the archdiocese's Council of Priests.

From 1 August, the former St Mary parish in Conshohocken (which has been merged with another parish) will be handed to the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter (FSSP).

The FSSP is an international fraternity of priests who celebrate exclusively according to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (sometimes known as the traditional or Tridentine Latin Mass).

"While it remains to be seen if this community will flourish so as to become a [permanent] parish, the establishment of a quasi-parish to provide this spiritual care appears to be most fitting at this time," he added.

This year, the Vatican allowed the FSSP to celebrate Holy Week liturgy according to the pre-1955 rubrics.

Source

• Catholic News Agency
• Catholic Herald
• Image: Exultate lusti in Domino