Cleveland Latin Mass Community Embraces Bishop’s Call to Share Truth about the Real Presence in the Eucharist

The Latin Mass Community in Cleveland has strongly embraced Bishop Edward Malesic’s recent call to share the truth about the Real Presence in the Eucharist.  Indeed,  Latin Mass devotees appear to be some of the bishop’s chief Marines in this heroic effort to restore the Faith.  

In mid-February, the diocesan website reported:

…Regarding the focus on the Eucharist, the bishop said a 2019 Pew Research Study revealed that less than one-third of self-identified Catholics expressed a belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist…

 

Since the beginning of our faith, Bishop Malesic said the Church taught that at the Last Supper, “when Jesus said to his apostles, ‘This is my body’ and ‘This is my blood,’ he meant it.” Unfortunately, a majority of Catholics does not believe what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says: “the body and blood together with the soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and therefore, the whole of Christ, is truly, really and substantially contained.”

 

“We either need to teach more clearly or be more persuasive about what we believe. Perhaps we must do both,” the bishop said…”  My ministry, and the role of every bishop, is to teach clearly and authentically what the Church teaches, including how the sacrament of the Eucharist is administered, prayed, understood, reverenced and how the faithful are transformed by this sacrament. We must also teach in a way that changes hearts and minds and not only informs,” he added.

Father Doug Brown at Mary Queen of Peace has recently begun having First Friday All-Night Eucharistic Adoration for the Preservation of the Traditional Latin Mass & Greater Reverence for the Holy Eucharist.  The vigils have been a huge success with many people present in the middle of the night praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament.  (Register right now for the next one: here - its important - and includes the Holy Rosary in Latin at midnight).

And while it has been well-documented that church attendance throughout the nation is way down since “the great overreaction” to the virus, attendance at Latin Masses in the Cleveland area continues to grow and grow particularly among young people and young families.  In fact, a young adult group for Cleveland Latin Mass devotees, the Oliver Plunkett Club, was formed less than a year ago and it has become one the fastest growing groups in the diocese. (More info on Oliver Plunkett Club here). The group is not just devoted to the Latin Mass, but has been actively engaged in the neighborhoods helping those who live near our beautiful, historic parishes and these creative youngsters are spreading the Faith.

Polls have continually demonstrated the strong beliefs held by those in the Latin Mass Community.  While an estimated 78% of Catholics now stay home on Sunday, 99% of Catholics who prefer the Latin Mass attend on a weekly basis.  And while 51% of Catholics support abortion, 99% of Latin Mass Catholics oppose abortion.  (See https://onepeterfive.com/new-survey-shows-disparity-of-beliefs-between-latin-mass-novus-ordo-catholics/)  

It is little wonder that the Latin Mass Community has so strongly endorsed the bishop’s recent commitment “to teach clearly and authentically what the Church teaches, including how the sacrament of the Eucharist is administered, prayed, understood, reverenced and how the faithful are transformed by this sacrament.”  The Traditional Latin Mass is itself a mini-catechism on the Real Presence.  The beauty of our historic urban churches, the reverence of the timeless liturgy, the mystical silence, kneeling at the altar rail for Holy Communion on the tongue, Gregorian chant.  Father Faber, priest of the Brompton Oratory in the last century, rightly described the Old Mass as the “most beautiful thing this side of Heaven.”

The recent enthusiasm for the Mass of the Ages has surprised many. It is not uncommon to see forty, fifty or up to sixty people assisting at the Monday (yes, Monday) night Latin Mass at St. Ignatius of Antioch. Mary Queen of Peace social hours on 2nd and 4th Sundays have become legendary for its turnout and number of young families attending after the 11 am Latin Mass. Attendance is climbing at every Latin Mass in the diocese. Rosary groups, clubs, friendships are all forming. Just last week, the enthusiastic love of our Faith's traditions was evident once again with a great turnout for St Rocco's procession on Good Friday.

Let us pray that this surprising and energetic restoration of tradition in some of our most historic urban churches is permitted to keep thriving.   Our diocese is facing so many challenges, let’s not get in the way of success.  These young people who love the Faith can lead the way and will be the bishop's strongest allies. As one long-time local Catholic observed: "What is happening with the Latin Mass, the young people and our urban churches is unprecedented. So much energy, so much charity, so much love of the Faith. Let's leave it alone for one more year and see what happens. Please let this mustard seed grow!"

PS For more info on the Latin Mass in Cleveland (including times and locations) visit: https://www.clevelandtlmfriends.com/

PSS And don't forget to register for Adoration https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090a45abaf2aa2fb6-may2022