Kingston Latin Mass Featured in Journey

Journey, the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Kingston, has published an article about the Traditional Latin Mass in Kingston:

Catholic Tradition Endures
By Paul Griffiths
Photos by Fred Happy

For over 30 years, the Traditional Latin Mass has been celebrated in St. James’ Chapel of St. Mary’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kingston. Upon entering the chapel during a celebration of this Mass, one is immediately struck by the rich symbolism,the ancient imagery, and the palpable atmosphere of reverence. The priest celebrates ad orientem – toward the liturgical east; he faces the same direction as the congregation toward the crucifix in a symbolism that evokes our collective journey to the Lord. The sound of the Latin language fills the chapel,lending solemnity and otherworldliness to the celebration. At key points, incense wafts towards the ceiling, representing the prayers of the people rising to God. Strains of the Church’s ancient Gregorian chant fill the nave, illuminating the texts of the Mass with the profound beauty of truly sacred music. At the consecration of the Holy Eucharist, a hushed silence descends upon the church. A complete focus is given to the Sacrifice of Christ being renewed on the altar.

This is the form of Mass that the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, removed restrictions on in his Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum of July 7, 2007, permitting celebration by all priests of the Latin Rite. It is the Mass that traces its origins to the early liturgy of the Church of Rome, having been reformed and codified by Pope St. Gregory the Great in the 6th Century. In the succeeding centuries, it underwent enrichment, until it was finally made the universal rite of the Latin Church at the 16th-Century Council of Trent, which aimed to safeguard the liturgical tradition in a time of great upheaval. It has acted as a wellspring of the Catholic faith and an enduring link to our forefathers, bringing the whole history of the Church into the present age.

The local celebration of this venerable rite has humble origins. The Latin Mass was first requested by a local parishioner, the late Joan Jackson, in the mid-1970s, and Fr. Brian Price obliged, eventually gaining permission to celebrate five times per year on Saturdays. Under Archbishop Francis Spence, this celebration was extended to one Sunday per month. Archbishop O’Brien recently met with representatives from the Latin Mass community, and efforts are being made to find a priest to celebrate this Mass more frequently.

Currently, Fr. Price travels devotedly from his parish in Brockville on the first Sunday of every month to celebrate Mass for this long-enduring community. Over the years, the makeup of the community has changed, and today Fr. Price is supported by local parishioners such as long-time master of ceremonies Dan Devlin, as well as students from Queen’s University. Emilie Bruno, a student at the school of music, directs the Kingston Schola Cantorum in singing Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony for the Mass. The schola practices in the Cathedral every Friday at 5:30 p.m. and is always looking for new members. In addition, a blog for the Kingston Latin Mass community is maintained at http://kingstontlm.blogspot.com. It offers Mass times, event notices and updates about the efforts for a more frequent celebration.

With continued support and interest from older Catholics attached to the mystery and dignity of this rite and from young Catholics looking to discover their heritage, this vibrant community will continue to endure for many years.

The Traditional Latin Mass is celebrated in St. James’ Chapel of St. Mary’s Cathedral on the first Sunday of every month at 3:00 p.m. Check the blog or the parish bulletin. It is also celebrated every second Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at St. Michael’s in Belleville.

The full edition of Journey can be read online here.