EWTN to Broadcast Traditional Latin Mass Sept. 14
Great news! Of special interest to those who don't have easy access to a parish offering the Traditional Latin Mass (aka "the Extraordinary Form of the Latin Rite"), EWTN will televise a Solemn High Mass on September 14 at 8:00 am EDT, in honor of the Holy Father's motu proprio authorizing wider use of the TLM:
DENTON, Nebraska - AUGUST 17, 2007 - For the first time in its 26 year history, Mother Angelica's Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) will be broadcasting a live Solemn High Mass at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama on September 14, 2007 at 8:00AM EST.EWTN has asked for the assistance of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, an international Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right, to help celebrate this "extraordinary" form.
This past July 7th, Pope Benedict XVI affirmed the beauty and importance of the Tridentine Mass by issuing Summorum Pontificum, a papal document encouraging and confirming the right of all Latin Rite priests to use this more ancient use of the Mass starting September 14th. The Tridentine Mass was the normative liturgy experienced by Latin Rite Catholics prior to the Second Vatican Council.
"Most Catholics have not seen this heavenly celebration in over 40 years," said Father Calvin Goodwin, a professor at the Society's international English-speaking seminary located in Denton, Nebraska. "We are very excited to help EWTN and to support the Holy Father's call for a wider presence of this form of the Mass. This is a cause for great joy."
Priests and seminarians from Denton, Nebraska will travel to Alabama and provide the celebrant, deacon, subdeacon, preacher, master of ceremonies and altar servers.
I'm glad it's going to be a Solemn High Mass. The sung TLM is really the preferred form for the traditional liturgy. "Low Mass" is supposed to be the exception, not the rule (sadly, this isn't often the case). While a more difficult liturgy to perform (requiring more altar boys, a choir, organ, etc.), the High Mass is a more accessible form for the congregation. This will give people watching a better appreciation for what the liturgy is supposed to accomplish.
Comments
I sure wish we got EWTN!
Jen
Posted by: Jen Ahern | August 18, 2007 9:48 AM
Jen,
We don't get EWTN as part of our cable package either, but their broadcast feed is available online:
http://www.ewtn.com/audiovideo/index.asp
That's how we watch EWTN.
Posted by: Don Roberts | August 18, 2007 9:56 AM
This is awesome. I was hoping EWTN would do this. It will allow many people to experience this rite (though on TV only) for the first time. I love the extraordinary form of the Mass, so of course I want to share it!
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa Roberts | August 19, 2007 5:41 PM