Significant developments

Joseph Shaw on a new religious community, a new book and a ten-year anniversary

I am writing the day after witnessing the priestly ordination of four men, in the Traditional Rite, by Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth. Since the Chairman’s Message is one of the last things to go into Mass of Ages as it prepared for publication, this is my chance to mention something which is one of the most significant developments for Tradition in recent years.

We have become almost used to the annual ordinations of men from England and Wales for the Traditional Institutes, particularly for the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter. The young men ordained last evening, however, are members of a new religious community, based near Portsmouth in Gosport: the Family of Mary Immaculate and St Francis. This is an institute of diocesan right established by Bishop Egan; the superior is Fr Serafino Lanzetta. At their parish in Gosport, which comprises St Mary’s and St Columba’s churches, they celebrate both Forms of the Roman Rite. The new priests are Fr Philomeno and Fr Rosario, who will be familiar to readers who have attended the LMS Walsingham Pilgrimage, and Fr Faustino and Fr Michele.

The community is ‘bi-ritual’, celebrating both the new and old Mass, not as a matter of personal preference among the priest members, but as a matter of policy. It has been a long and complicated process to establish the community with proper canonical status, and Bishop Egan deserves our thanks for his courage and perseverance in seeing this process to its conclusion, as well as for carrying out the ordinations. These ordinations were, I believe, the first time he has himself celebrated Traditional Mass in public, although he has ‘presided’ at it in the past.

So, congratulations to the new priests, and to their superior Fr Lanzetta, whose book, Vatican II: A Pastoral Council, can incidentally be purchased from the LMS online shop.

These ordinations increase the number of priests in the community from three to seven. The Family of Mary Immaculate and St Francis is now firmly established, and I look forward to hearing more about their work.

Liturgical restoration

Also available to buy is a book edited by me: a collection of the thirty-three ‘Position Papers’ I prepared, with the help of many others, for Una Voce International (Foederatio Internationalis Una Voce). The Case for Liturgical Restoration, which sets out a sort of executive summary of the arguments about specific aspects of the Mass which need explaining or defending, and the ways in which the ancient Mass can be of service to the Church in her evangelisation of the world. Although the discussions are concise, it is very carefully researched and footnoted. I certainly learnt a great deal in preparing this volume; I hope it will form a solid basis for further, well-informed and charitable discussion of these important issues.

A great honour

Earlier this year was the 10th anniversary of my becoming Chairman of the Latin Mass Society. Having completed my predecessor’s term of office, I will complete my third three-year term at this year’s Annual General Meeting.

After two consecutive terms of office, the Society’s Constitution allows an officer, including the Chairman, to stand for another term at the request of the Committee. The Committee have made this request, and in the absence of other nominations I have been reelected unopposed.

I am very happy to continue as Chairman. I regard it as a great honour to hold this office, which is also something I find very interesting, and, despite the inevitable difficulties, a source of great satisfaction. I am conscious of my limitations, however, and continue in office at the Society’s pleasure. If I can make myself useful to this great Society in its invaluable work, I regard my time as well spent.