Pope John Paul II’s 1988 indult. The first Sacred Music Let us pray Assumption Church in Windsor, Ontario is Tridentine Mass in the Diocese of London was fortunate to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the established in 1991 and is currently a diocesan One of the aspects of the Traditional Latin the Latin Mass Mass according to both the 1962 and post-1970 Community based at Assumption Church. Mass which attracts many people is its editions of the Roman Missal. The former is employment of the treasury of Catholic music. popularly known as the “Tridentine Mass,” Assumption is Ontario’s oldest Catholic For centuries, the Church has been one of the and the latter is the form of Mass celebrated in parish, founded in 1767 to serve the Huron primary instruments of development of not most Roman Catholic parishes today. The Indians and French settlers. The present only music meant specifically for the Liturgy, Tridentine Mass, which was promulgated in church dates to 1874, making it one of the but also motets, organ pieces, and other 1570 by Pope St. Pius V after the Council of oldest churches in the Southwestern Ontario “classical” music intended to elevate the Trent (“Tridentine” means “pertaining to and Southeast Michigan. Because of its history listener’s mind to God. At the St. Benedict Trent”), underwent a number of minor and size – Assumption is the largest church in Tridentine Mass, a full choir sings every revisions through the years. As celebrated Windsor – it has served as the site of most Sunday of the year, making full use of this rich today, the Tridentine Mass follows the edition major regional diocesan liturgical events. In body of music. Music that is recognizably of the Roman Missal promulgated by Blessed 2007, recognizing its architectural Catholic, such as Gregorian Chant and sacred Pope John XXIII in 1962. After the Second appropriateness, Assumption Church opened polyphony, as well as preludes and postludes Vatican Council (1962-1965), a much more its doors to the Tridentine Mass Community. that so fittingly transport one’s mind to the thorough revision of the Roman Missal was With its ornate interior, magnificent high altar, sacred. We also employ traditional hymns, completed in 1970. This revision implemented and three-manual Casavant organ, many of which are not often played many changes in the way Mass was Assumption is the best possible setting in elsewhere. celebrated. Windsor for the Traditional Latin Mass. St. Benedict Community While many Catholics embraced these The St. Benedict Tridentine Community is changes enthusiastically, not all did. Those deeply grateful to Bishop Fabbro, Father Since 1991, the Windsor Tridentine Mass who were uncomfortable with the new rite of Hrytsyk, Father Riegel, and the members of Association and its successor entity, the St. St. Benedtict Mass longed for the beauty, reverence, Assumption Parish for their support. Benedict Tridentine Catholic Community, formality, and profound expressions of holy have worked to promote the Traditional Latin Tridentine Catholic Community truths of the old. Out of pastoral concern for Why is Latin the Church’s official language? Mass in the Windsor-Detroit area. Special at Assumption Church the faithful who preferred the older form of Liturgies are occasionally held featuring the Liturgy, His Holiness Pope John Paul II When the apostles first carried Christ’s Good 350 Huron Church Road prominent Latin Mass celebrants from across gave permission in 1984 – and widened this News to the world, they traveled throughout Windsor, Ontario N9C 2J9 the world. Guests have included Msgr. Arthur permission in 1988 – for it to be celebrated in the Roman Empire, which governed most of (519) 734-1335 or from U.S.: (248) 250-2740 Calkins from the Vatican’s Ecclésia Dei those dioceses whose bishop permitted it. In the lands around the Mediterranean Sea and www.windsorlatinmass.org Commission; Fr. Josef Bisig, co-founder and 2007, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in western Europe. Since the Romans spoke E-mail: [email protected] former Superior of the Priestly Fraternity of St. expanded the permission yet again, allowing Latin, this language was one used by many Peter; and Fr. Jonathon Robinson, founder and Fr. Peter Hrytsyk, Chaplain & Celebrant any priest to celebrate the Old Form Mass, to people at that time, much as today many Superior of the Toronto Oratory. All who which he gave the new title, the people in the world know English because it is attend our Latin Mass are invited to join the Tridentine Latin Mass Schedule “Extraordinary Form” of the Roman Rite, economically and socially advantageous to do St. Benedict Community using the registration Every Sunday at 2:00 PM without the bishop’s permission. so. As the Roman Empire disintegrated in the forms available at the entrance to the church. Every Tuesday at 7:00 PM 4th and 5 th centuries, the emerging Church, led Like a parish, St. Benedict maintains its own Christmas and New Year’s Days at 2:00 PM His Excellency Bishop Ronald Fabbro, Bishop by the Bishop of Rome, stepped in to provide Sacramental registers, and all of the Good Friday Service at 5:30 PM of London, Ontario, is among the bishops who a stabilizing cultural force, and through the Sacraments are available according to the Confessions and Rosary Sundays at 1:30 PM graciously gave permission for the 1962 Latin centuries has retained the use of Latin in Traditional Roman Ritual. Benediction After Mass on Second Sundays Mass to be celebrated in their diocese under official communications as a means to unity. The Latin language is the national property of quiet so as not to disturb others at prayer), In the back of the church you will find may read what he says in your missal. no one people, yet, through learning, can be and offer prayers of thanksgiving once Mass is red missals containing the Ordinary of Appreciate this silence as a time of hushed common to all. This feature makes it especially over. We find the dignity and formality of the the Mass (the part that stays the same awe in which we give thanks for the appropriate for a universal Church. The use of Latin Mass conducive to an encounter with each Mass). You will also find a handout mystery of Christ’s saving sacrifice and Latin by the Church started as a happenstance the Divine. with the Propers (the part with the for His coming to each of us in the of history and geography, but has enabled the prayers, and readings for a particular day Eucharist. Church to maintain unity amidst the disciples We appreciate that Our Lord in the Blessed of the liturgical year) in both Latin and she has made of all nations. Sacrament is central in the sanctuary. We English. Blue hymnals contain the music Holy Communion is received kneeling at show Him reverence in traditional ways of specified in the handouts. the altar rail on the tongue. “Amen” is Why attend Mass in a foreign language? posture and quiet demeanor. not said when you receive. Knowing when to stand, sit, or kneel can Over twenty approved rites of Catholic The Gregorian Chant sung in the Latin Mass be hard for a newcomer. Just follow others If you are not Catholic, you are requested Liturgy are in use worldwide. Many of these enriches us. The Church has used this manner around you, or refer to the guidelines in not to receive Communion. If you are have never used Latin but have always been of singing her public prayers for many the margins of the red missal. Catholic and know yourself to be in a state in the native language of the local people. The centuries. We find chant to be “poetry which of mortal sin, you are to refrain from retention of Latin for the Liturgy was a sings on earth the mysteries of heaven and Some parts of the Mass are for the priest receiving Communion. A prayer to make particular feature of west European liturgical prepares us for the canticles of eternity.” only, and some are for the people and a spiritual Communion at the time others priest together. At a Mass where the development, and extended likewise to areas There is even scientific evidence to show that receive can be found in the back of the red choir sings, the choir sings all the parts of the world evangelized by west European chant aids one’s spiritual practice by causing missal. of the people. You may sing all of these, missionaries. brain waves to change to the alpha frequency but if you are not comfortable doing so, wherein deeper states of prayer and Those new to the Latin Mass often find you may follow along by reading silently Most of the faithful who attend the Latin Mass meditation are possible. that they have to attend several times to the English translation in your missal. do not know Latin. So why do so many of us feel confident in their understanding of today still prefer the Latin Mass? We like participating in the popular all that is taking place. Be patient if you Sometimes the choir sings its part while devotions that have accompanied the Latin feel unsure on your first few visits. In the priest says his part quietly at the altar. We choose the Latin Mass, not because of an liturgy for many centuries to open their time you will become familiar with the Because it takes longer for the choir to attachment to the language, but because we treasury of graces to us. Mass. Volunteers at the entrance to the sing their prayers than it does for the believe it enhances our spiritual lives: church will also be happy to sit with you priest to say his, the two will overlap, and and guide you through the Mass.