Interview with Monsignor Bartolucci on Traditional Catholicism

Thank you to the reader who notified me of the following interview with Monsignor Bartolucci available on Disuptationes Theologicae [simply translate the page into English using Google Translate or a similar service].

The following intial excerpt from the interview is already quite revealing in terms of the views of Mons. Bartolucci:

INTERVIEW WITH MONSIGNOR. DOMENICO BARTOLUCCI
by Pucci Cipriani and Stefano Carusi

A meeting with Monsignor Domenico Bartolucci, the distinguished Mugellan musician, Maestro Emeritus of the Sistine Chapel, admirer, friend and collaborator of Benedict XVI.

It is a sunny afternoon on the green hills of the Mugellan landscape, when we arrive on the Roman church of Montefloscoli, in the antique rectory full of memories the Maestro Perpetuo of the Sistine Chapel is enjoying the fresh air, behind him a framed photo of the hug the reigning pontiff is giving Monsignor Domenico Bartolucci, the successor of Lorenzo Perosi in the Sacred Palace. On his writing-desk the now-famous book of Monsignor Brunero Gherardini: “Il Concilio Vaticano II- un discorso da fare” (“The Second Vatican Council – a debate to be started”), edited by Edizioni Casa Mariana.
It is on the subject of the liturgical reform that we start our conversation with the Maestro, with Domenico Bartolucci, who in liturgical and musical matters has been at ease working and giving counsel to five popes and who is a friend and collaborator of Benedict XVI, whose work he says is “an immense gift to the Church, if only they would let it work”.

Maestro, the recent publication of the Motu proprio “Summorum Pontificum” has brought a gust of fresh air into the desolate liturgical panorama which surrounds it. Even you may now celebrate the Mass of all time (“messa di sempre”.)

To tell the truth, I have always and without interruption celebrated it since my ordination … on the contrary, I sometimes found it difficult to celebrate according to the modern rite, even if I never said so.

The Mass which never was abolished, is it not?

Those are the words of the Holy Father even if some people pretend not to understand and even if many in the past have argued that the opposite is true.

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All Souls Day Traditional Requiem Mass from 2007 at St. Francis de Sales Oratory

Today is the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed (All Souls)

This feast, dating back to the 11th Century, is a time to remember all of the faithfully depart and pray that they are now in the grace of God. God certainly is Love and He is mercy. The only thing we can do is trust in Him and pray for our loved ones.

In the middle of the 11th century, St. Odilo, the abbot of Cluny (France), said that all Cluniac monasteries were to offer special prayers and sing the Office for the Dead on November 2, the day after the feast of All Saints. The custom spread from Cluny and was was adopted throughout the entire Roman Catholic Church. Now we the entire Church celebrates November 2nd as All Soul's Day.

Indulgence:

To gain a Plenary Indulgence form noon Nov. 1 until midnight Nov. 2, visit the church, pray for the Holy Souls and also for the intentions of the Holy Father. On All Soul's Day and for a week afterward, a Plenary Indulgence for the Holy Souls is granted for a visit to the cemetery with devotion and prayer for the dead. All through November, you can gain partial indulgence every day you visit the cemetery and pray for the dead.

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Feast of Christ the King 2009: Louisville, KY

A beautiful video of the Traditional Latin Mass from St. Martin of Tours Church, Louisville, KY on the Feast of Christ the King, October 25, 2009. Archbishop Jospeh Kurtz attended in choir and preached, making a pastoral visit to the Louisville Latin Mass Community.

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Archbishop Raymond Burke Celebrates First Traditional Latin Mass in St. Peter's Basilica

In the holy city of Rome on October 18, 2009, a Solemn Pontifical High Mass was sung in the Gregorian Rite by the Most Rev. Raymond Burke in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament in the Vatican Basilica. What a sign for the Faithful with the Tridentine Mass celebrated in the Vatican itself!

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Tridentine Latin Mass Sponsored by the Thomas More Society of Boston College

The below images were from a Tridentine Latin Mass sponsored by the Thomas More Society of Boston College, celebrated in St Mary's Chapel by Fr Agustin Anda, assisted by Fr. Gary Gurtler, S.J.. Chant choir Schola Amicorum, from the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

This Mass took place on the Feast of St Michael the Archangel in September 2009. The acolytes are Philip Micele and Michael Williams.



Image Sources: These photos are from the Greater Boston Tridentine from Flickr, used with permission

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First Thursday of the Month: Plenary Indulgence Available

For the faithful, a plenary indulgence can be obtained on the opening and closing days of the Year for Priests, on the 150th anniversary of the death of St. Jean-Marie Vianney, on the first Thursday of the month, or on any other day established by the ordinaries of particular places for the good of the faithful.

To obtain the indulgence the faithful must attend Mass in an oratory or Church and offer prayers to "Jesus Christ, supreme and eternal Priest, for the priests of the Church, or perform any good work to sanctify and mould them to his heart."
The conditions for the faithful for earning a plenary indulgence are to have gone to confession and prayed for the intentions of the Pope.

Source: Zenit

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Pray for the Repose of the Soul: Michel Lefebvre and Fr. Didier Bonnetterre

The blog Credidimus Caritati requests prayers for the following two individuals:

Michel Lefebvre, the brother of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, who passed away peacefully on the Feast of the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady, 15 September 2009. He was aged 90.

Father Didier Bonneterre, one of the most senior priests of the Society of St Pius X, who passed away in a car accident in Paris on the Feast of the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady, 15 September 2009.

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requiescat in pace. Amen.

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Book Giveaway Still Ongoing!

Only one entry and winner thus far in the contest. See the post below and participate while I still have 4 additional copies available!

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Can God be Trusted by Fr. Thomas D. Williams

Today I learned about a new book by Fr. Thomas D. Williams, entitled Can God be Trusted? For long-time readers of A Catholic Life, remember that Fr. Williams is the author of Greater Than You Think, a book which I wholeheartedly recommended and offered on my blog as a Book Giveaway Contest.

Product Description

Father Williams explores the most common obstacles that prevent people from trusting God, including personal betrayals, unfulfilled expectations, and seemingly unanswered prayers. He then explains what is reasonable to expect from God and offers practical tips for ways to grow in trust.

Williams is becoming a revered voice in the Christian community for his insightful writings on issues that really matter to Christians. In this new book, Father Williams will help readers understand, not only how to trust God in spite of doubts and confusion, but to truly know God can be trusted.

About the Author

FR. THOMAS D. WILLIAMS, LC, is dean of the theology school at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University in Rome. He has also worked extensively for Sky News in Britain covering church and ethical issues. For both NBC and Sky News, Williams covered the final illness and death of Pope John Paul II, the 2005 papal conclave, and the election of Pope Benedict XVI. Williams has appeared as analyst on church affairs for CNN, CBS, ABC, and Fox News and now serves as consultant on Vatican affairs for NBC News and MSNBC.

Can God be Trusted? is available for purchase on Amazon.com

Book Giveaway

Attention Readers of This Blog! I am hosting a book giveaway of "Can God be Trusted?" The first five readers who respond via email with the correct answers to the following questions will win a free copy of "Greater Than You Think".

The following answers can all be found on my website (A Catholic Life). If you do not remember some of these answers, simply search my blog using the search feature in the right-hand column. When you have the answer to each question, email me the answers at acatholiclife[at]gmail.com

In your subject line include the words "Book Giveaway". Be sure to include your mailing address in case you are a winner. If you are a winner, I will notify you. As soon as five winners have been chosen, I will add a note in this post informing everyone that the contest is closed. Only citizens of the United States of America and Canada are eligible for this giveaway. No P.O. Boxes will be accepted.

Deadline: 12 NOON CDT Monday, September 21, 2009

This contest is now closed

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Birthday

Today I am celebrating my birthday so additional postings today and in the next few days will not be very likely.

However, at this time, I do wish to thank everyone who regularly reads this blog. I am thankful for the 4.5 years of blogging on A Catholic Life, and I hope for many additional years!

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