The Rorate Caeli blog has published a letter from the First Section of the Vatican Secretariat of State, General Affairs Division, which has relegated the traditional Mass to outside of the Vatican Basilica.
The letter is addressed to the Extraordinary Commissioner of the Fabric of St. Peter, the Canons of the Vatican, concerning the service of liturgical celebrations at the Basilica.
The reason for the decision is “to give a more central place to listening to the word of God and to the Eucharistic celebration,” and “to ensure an atmosphere of meditation and liturgical decorum” to the masses celebrated in the basilica.
The document then specifically “abolished all privately celebrated masses in the upper body of the Basilica.” “All masses celebrated in the Basilica will have to be concelebrations,” which are added to those already taking place to allow everyone to participate. The concelebrations will be “liturgically animated” by “readers” and “singers.” Groups of pilgrims accompanied by an officiant will be able to celebrate in the Vatican Catacombs.
Finally, the “extraordinary rite” mass, otherwise known as the Traditional Mass, is relegated to the Clementine Chapel in the Vatican Crypt, at 7:00 am, 7:30 am, 8:00 am, and 9:00 am.
These provisions must come into force on March 22 of this year. The facsimile presented appears to have come from the Secretary of State.
Rorate Caeli's editor comments: “The only consolation is that the tiny and stuffy and windowless Clementine Chapel is the most special place in the whole Basilica, it is where the main chest protecting the Relics of the Prince of the Apostles himself are held.”
The news, initially questioned, seems to be confirmed. It shows how the traditional Mass is unbearable to those who have become attached to the new one. They cannot endure what appears to them to be a reproach, and which today attracts more and more of the faithful and priests.
Could this be the first fruit of the investigation into the Traditional Mass carried out by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the results of which are now in the hands of the Holy See?
