Cleveland Latin Mass Community Reacts to News

 It was a match made in Heaven.

The Traditional Latin Mass and some of Cleveland’s most beautiful, historic churches.  Immaculate Conception, St Stephen’s, St, Rocco’s and more recently Mary Queen of Peace, St. Elizabeth of Hungary and St. Ignatius of Antioch. 

 

In many ways it was the fulfillment of former Bishop Pilla’s excellent Church in the City initiative.  Catholics from all over Northeastern Ohio gathering together in some of our older urban neighborhoods and worshipping Our Lord.  Obviously, the very positive financial impact on some of these struggling parishes can not be overstated.  It is significant and probably saved a parish or two.  But there is more.  Far more. Friendships were formed, volunteer efforts initiated, lives were changed, neighborhoods revived.  There were many conversions to the Faith, and perhaps even more reversions to the Faith.

And as  Pope Benedict has noted about the Latin Mass: "young people too have discovered this liturgical form, felt its attraction and found in it a form of encounter with the mystery of the Most Holy Eucharist, particularly suited to them."  Just last week, nearly 90 people showed up on a Monday night for a Latin Low Mass at St. Ignatius of Antioch.  Then on  Friday night, close to 150 people showed up at Mary Queen of Peace for a High Latin Mass.  In the middle of summer on non-Holy Days of Obligation! This is a phenomenal development. Is this something that should be discouraged in the future? Of course not.  Indeed, how can we duplicate it?

The Traditional Latin Mass community in Cleveland is one of the largest, most vibrant such groups in the country.  Those who attend the Latin Mass here include leaders in many of our best educational institutions; they have founded and are engaged in numerous volunteer efforts;  they have helped found our local Catholic radio station; they are incredibly engaged in local pro-life efforts; they are friends, neighbors, coaches, students.  They are people who love praying for others but also are people tremendously in need of  prayers - - like all of us.  

If there is a troubling division in our Church today,  that divide is between those of us who worship Our Lord on Sunday and those who just stay home on Sunday.  Even before the virus, far less than 50% of Catholics were attending Mass weekly.  That percentage has since dropped significantly.  We need to evangelize our friends, our family members and our neighbors - not shut down things that are obviously working! 

When news of possible new restrictions on the Latin Mass broke last week, the local community was understandably concerned. At a time when the Church as a whole was struggling with drastically declining attendance, Latin Mass attendance has been up...particularly among young people and young families. “This makes no sense.”  Latin Mass supporters were initially confused and worried.

But then some good news began to break.  Some of the leading American bishops were coming forward and recognizing that the TLM was invaluable and would continue on in their various dioceses.  As noted by Archbishop Cordileone: "'Unity under Christ is what matters. Therefore the Traditional Latin Mass will continue to be available here in the Archdiocese of San Francisco and provided in response to the legitimate needs and desires of the faithful.”

In a social media post it was reported that the beloved local Benedictine monk, Father Bede OSB was also encouraging: “Please do not needlessly worry, we look forward to seeing you all soon! As always please remember to pray for and support your parish.”

Not surprisingly, there were great turnouts at the Latin Masses this weekend.  Many got together afterward to share their hope and optimism.   Surely our new bishop will see all the blessings the Latin Mass has brought to this community and like others recognize the “legitimate needs and desires of the faithful.”  More than ever, the community is committed to flooding heaven with prayers for our bishop and diocese as we prayerfully and optimistically await further guidance from Bishop Malesic.

There are something like twenty-four uniquely beautiful rites in the Catholic faith all in unity with the Pope. ( The Other 23 Catholic Churches and Why They Exist )  In unity, most have existed for centuries giving glory to our one God. Certainly, Cleveland has room for the “Most beautiful thing this side of Heaven” - The Traditional Latin Mass.  As Archbishop Cordileone notes:  “Unity under Christ is what matters.”

*For more information on the Traditional Latin Mass in Cleveland visit https://www.clevelandtlmfriends.com/ . Photo courtest of John Volkenant