Letter from Fr Neil on 5pm Saturday Anticipatory Mass Versus Populum

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I have some news to share with you.  In consultation with the Saint John’s Parish Pastoral Council and Archbishop Hebda, we will be changing the weekly 5:00 pm Saturday evening anticipatory Mass to be versus populum.  The portable mensa will be used at this Mass.  This will begin on Sunday, December 1, 2024, the first Sunday of Advent.  The 8:00 am and 10:00 am Masses will not change and will remain ad orientem.

As we approach the ineffable Sacred Mysteries that have been handed down to us to be preserved and expressed with great care, we will continue to strive to adhere to the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, endeavoring to fulfill the Council Father’s desire that “the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites,” taking steps “so that the faithful may also be able to say or to sing together in Latin those parts of the Ordinary of the Mass which pertain to them.” (Second Vatican Council: Sacrosanctum Concilium 36, 54) Our use of Latin responses has been generally restricted to the Sanctus, Angus Dei, the distribution of Holy Communion, and on rare occasions, the Gloria when the missa de angelis mass setting is taken up on higher Solemnities.  In Ordinary Time since Pentecost this year, the only time you currently hear Latin at the Mass is at the distribution of Communion: the words Corpus Christi.  

We will also continue at all Masses to to hold the Pipe Organ in the highest esteem, “for it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendor to the Church’s ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man’s mind to God and to higher things.” (Second Vatican Council: Sacrosanctum Concilium 120)  The 5:00 pm Saturday evening anticipatory Mass will continue to have fewer chanted/sung parts (such as the Creed and the Our Father prayer).  As has been the practice for the past few years, the 8:00 am will have more chanted/sung parts, and the 10:00 am Mass will be almost entirely chanted/sung.

In addition, at all Masses, kneelers will remain in place at the front of the sanctuary to provide the option for those who wish to kneel to receive Holy Communion.  Be reassured that it is, and always has been an optional practice.  It is in no way obligatory to kneel when receiving Holy Communion, just as it is optional (and not obligatory) to receive communion in the hand rather than on the tongue.

Our collective hope is that we will grow in unity before the Lord Jesus Christ, who draws all things to Himself and desires us to find peace, mercy, and accord as His Body.

In Christ through Mary,

Father Neil