January 2022 Update: Due to
the rotten fruits of Cupich, options 4 and 5 here have been forced to permanently discontinue the Tridentine Mass.
Compared to all other cities in the United States, Chicago has more Tridentine Latin Masses each Sunday than anywhere else. In fact, Chicago serves as an important base for the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, a traditional religious order that only offers the Traditional Mass, with most of their US apostolates in driving distance from Chicago.
In no particular order, here are the 5 Most Traditional Catholic Church of Chicago:
1. St. John Cantius (Diocesan)
St. John Cantius is known as one
of the gems of Catholic Tradition in the Conciliar Church. The building
itself has a rich history - it was saved from near closing and has
blossomed into a community of vibrant Faith, Tradition, and Devotion.
The building is known for its beauty, the Liturgies are among some of
the most ornate in the City, and the use of Sacred Polyphony and
Orchestral High Masses make this a truly unique parish of Chicago.
2. Shrine of Christ the King (ICKSP)
The Shrine, like St. John
Cantius, was near closing - in fact, the Shrine of Christ the King was
slated for demolition after a fire ravished the building. As the
neighbor decayed, the former St. Gelatius Church, which was home to the
National Novena to St. Therese on each Tuesday of the week, was all but
certainly lost. In 2006, the building was entrusted to the Institute
of Christ the King by then-Cardinal of Chicago, Cardinal George. As a
result of the order's dedication, the building is being restored and the
Faithful who attend the Shrine assist at one of the few locations to
only offer Tridentine Masses - even during the Triduum. The Order's use
of traditions ranging from Candlemas Processions, Blessings of Wine on
the Feast of St. John, Blessings of Epiphany Water, and the like make
this one of the few places to regularly and publicly use the Rituale
Romanum. The vibrant parish life offers several weekly evening Masses
as well as Masses in the evening usually on all 1st Class Feasts, which
is a true rarity! With powerful preaching and doctrinally sound
catechesis, the Shrine of Christ the King has earned a place in our Top 5
List.
Older Image: Source Unknown
Older Image: Source Unknown
Older Image: Source Unknown
Solemn High Mass on Christmas Day
Blessing of the Wine on the Feast of St. John
3. St. Mary of Perpetual Help (Diocesan)
St.
Mary of Perpetual Help is a remarkable structure visible from
Interstate 55. Its huge dome pierces the skyline of the south side of
Chicago in the Bridgeport neighborhood and calls all to honor Almighty God.
The Church offers a weekly Tridentine High Mass on Sundays at 8:30 AM,
the earliest Tridentine High Mass offered on a Sunday in the city. The
inside of the Church is vibrantly beautiful with many statues, icons,
and images. The high altar of the Church is one of the grandest high
altars in Chicago and is made of some of the highest quality marble - only
St. Adalberts Church might claim to have higher quality marble (though
no Tridentine Mass is offered there). St. Mary's offers Confession
before each Mass that is infrequently attended making it quick and easy
to obtain Confession - not a commonality in the more traditional
Churches. With beautiful music and clear sermons, this parish could be
much busier than it typically is. It's a treasure and all Catholics of
Chicago should make their way here for an 8:30 Sunday High Mass.
Note: Low altar is removed for all Latin Masses.
4. St. Odilo/National Shrine of the Poor Souls (Diocesan)
As
the National Shrine of the Poor Souls, the Faithful who attend Mass
here receives a particular indulgence. The Church, while featuring some
model art and a "low altar", has some truly unique features - a
life-sized and bloody depiction of our Lord after he was taken down from
the Cross in a separate chapel. The Church also has several side
altars and candles throughout in honor of the Poor Souls - you'll see
Traditional Altar missals on them as well. The Church offers a Sunday
Tridentine Mass at 9:30 AM and has a very beautiful schola. Only
downsize - Confessions are not offered immediately before each Mass,
like the other places on this list. But don't let that stop you from
making a visit to St. Odilo's and praying for the poor souls at the
Sunday Latin High Mass. And be ready for Fr. Brankin's inspiring,
clear, and unabashedly Catholic sermons. Of all of the sermons offered
on a given Sunday at a Tridentine Mass, Fr. Brankin's are among the very
best each and every week.
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5. Our Lady Immaculate (SSPX)
The Society of St.
Pius X, founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, was the catalyst for
Traditional Catholicism in the aftermath of the Second Vatican Council.
Without the Society, it is likely that the Tridentine Mass would have
vanished from the earth. This particular chapel of the Society is
located near one of the Society's few priories - this prior is unique as
it is the home of one of the four bishops of the Society - Bishop
Tissier de Mallerais. The Chapel itself is a former protestant building
that has been turned into a Catholic Church. It features an impressive
high altar. Unique among the churches of Chicago, it is the only one
to regularly feature a blessing of religious articles after both Masses
on the Second Sunday of the month. So bring your candles, rosaries,
images, and anything else that needs to be blessed. The chapel also has
monthly devotions to Our Lady of Sorrows and the pastor is not afraid to
speak candidly on the crisis in the world and the need for Catholics to
stand up for the Truth. You won't hear any psedu-protestantism here.
This chapel is a home for unabasedly Catholic teaching and is home to a
truly multicultural congregation of Caucasians, African Americans,
Hispanics, Asians, and others - showing that the Church truly transcends
cultures. And yet, all come together and worship in a common tongue of
Latin.
Image Source: FRANK PINC/Staff Photographer via oakpark.com
Image Source: SSPX Website
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