Ratzinger: "The deepest cause of the crisis that has subverted the Church is located in the effacing of the priority of God in the liturgy."

 (Repost from 2017)

The Russian edition of volume XI of the Opera Omnia of Benedict XVI Ratzinger was published this Easter (a common date this year for East and West) and Pope Benedict XVI had been asked at the beginning of the project, in 2015, to write a preface -- which he did.

Corriere della Sera provided the Italian version of the Russian publication, which we now present in English:

Benedict XVI
[Corriere della Sera, April 15, 2017]

Nihil Operi Dei praeponatur - "Let nothing be set before the Divine Worship." With these words, Saint Benedict, in his Rule (43,3), established the absolute priority of Divine Worship in relation with any other task of monastic life. This, even in monastic life, was not necessarily obvious, because for monks the work in agriculture and in knowledge was also an essential task.

Transalpine Redemptorists Statement

 On their blog (link).

It isn’t about the “Smells and Bells”- The Knoxville Ruse

 This is the official letter of the Bishop Beckman annihilation of the Traditional Latin Mass in Knoxville (East Tennessee):

39% of Young American Priests Consider Access to the Traditional Latin Mass a Priority

 39% of priests in the United States ordained after the year 2000 consider access to the Traditional Latin Mass a priority -- 1in 4, compared with just 11%, or 1 in 10, for priests ordained before 1980.

Cardinal Sarah in interview: I have spoken to the Pope about the Traditional Mass, he is aware, he is the Father of all.

Cardinal Sarah granted an interview to Tribune Chrétienne from his home in Rome (video, in French, at the end). In it, he had important words regarding a matter close to his heart, the Traditional Latin Mass, and the traditionalist faithful:

[Interviewer:] In Saint-Anne d'Auray, you reminded us that man is great when he is on his knees. A man is great when he is on his knees. So, we know your attachment to traditional liturgy. You recently said that you hoped that the motu proprio Traditionis custodes might be amended. Today, well, there is nothing really new. What do you expect from the new pope with regard to this motu proprio, which has been particularly painful in France, due to the sometimes very clumsy application of this motu proprio by certain bishops? Do you hope that it will be modified at least, or withdrawn?

A Reaction to Kwasniewski's Appearance on Pints with Aquinas

As many of our readers will know, I appeared recently on the Pints with Aquinas podcast, hosted by Matt Fradd. The interview has over 100K views. The impact seems to be international, as well: a German website called Certamen wrote up a succinct commentary that is translated below. -PAK 

Another Traditional Monastery in France -- the Monks of Le Barroux take charge of the Trappist monastery of Bellefontaine

 

After trying for many years to save their monastery of Our Lady of  Bellefontaine (Maine-et-Loire, Pays de la Loire region of France), the monks of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (Trappists), a reduced community of aged religious men, decided to pass on their installations to the Abbey of Saint Mary Magdalen of Le Barroux. The move was announced by the local diocese, the diocese of Angers. 

Traditional Latin Mass annihilated in the Diocese of Knoxville, Tennessee (Update: and a humiliating homily)(Update: The International Una Voce Federation responds to the insulting Half-Truths)

The cruelty taking place under Leo XIV is becoming loud and deafening. Rome does nothing.

Tragic.

 

And not even one alternative venue was offered in a diocese of 14,000 square miles occupying all of East Tennessee. The current bishop was named by Francis last year. 

Document below:

Repentance, Forbearance, Acceptance: Homily for the Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost:

The paralytic healed by Jesus (James Tissot)

Homily for the Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost: Repentance, Forbearance, Acceptance

The following homily was given today at a traditional parish.

“I was glad when they said unto me, We will go into the house of the Lord.” (Ps. 122:1.)

Both the Introit and the Gradual for this Mass echo the pilgrim’s joy, the joy of entering into the house of the Lord. In the Epistle, St Paul tells us that in Christ we are given all the graces to be joyful.

The Gospel is quite practical; presenting a three-step process to attain joy, namely, repentance, “… thy sins are forgiven thee,” forbearance, “Rise, take up thy bed,” and acceptance, “… walk into thy house.”

Dilexi Te -- Leo XIV's first Exhortation

by Roberto de Mattei

October 12, 2025

Leo XIV's first apostolic exhortation, Dilexi te ("I have loved you"), signed on October 4, 2025, and published on October 9, deserves our attention more than some of the pope's interviews, which are sometimes given excessive media coverage. We are faced not with a few words, but with a comprehensive document comprising 121 paragraphs, divided into five chapters plus an introduction. As has been noted, it is not a social encyclical, but an apostolic exhortation. An encyclical is a doctrinal document, while an apostolic exhortation is a pastoral document, which does not define principles, but exhorts us to behave in a certain way.

COLUMBUS IS OURS -- Let us rejoice!

A Happy Columbus Day for All our Readers! 

¡Feliz Día de la Hispanidad!

 

Monastery of Sant Jeroni de la Murtra, near Barcelona,
where the Catholic Monarchs welcomed Columbus back from the Indies in 1493

Now that four centuries have sped since a Ligurian first, under God's guidance, touched shores unknown beyond the Atlantic, the whole world is eager to celebrate the memory of the event, and glorify its author. Nor could a worthier reason be found where through zeal should be kindled. For the exploit is in itself the highest and grandest which any age has ever seen accomplished by man; and he who achieved it, for the greatness of his mind and heart, can be compared to but few in the history of humanity.

Pope Leo XIV’s view of “Synodality” in Letter: The Bishop is the Guardian, and the College of Bishops, with the Pope at its Head

 In a letter to a conference of the Camaldolese congregation on “Synodality” and the position of the hierarchy, Pope Leo XIV makes his position on “Synodality” as clear as possible:

Cardinal Müller -- Interview on Leo XIV's first months in office: The Latin Mass "issue cannot be resolved through authoritarianism."

Cardinal Ludwig Müller, former Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, granted an interview to Italian daily Il Giornale, published on October 6.

Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, you are Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. How do you assess these first months of Pope Leo's pontificate?

"Many Aves pierce the sky," October 7th 1571 - Lepanto

 

"Victory shall come from on high" 

 "The Battle of Lepanto"

 by Veronese

Holy Rosary: Leo XIV celebrates Vespers ad orientem in Domus Australia

 

It was the first "ad orientem" Office celebration by Leo XIV as pope, and it took place during his visit to Domus Australia (the pilgrim house established by the bishops of Australia in Rome) yesterday. (Edited: The first Mass ad orientem was a mass of Paul VI celebrated for the Carabinieri on July 15, 2025.)

The notes below are by a friend:

A True Evidence of Unity: Leo XIV receives Cardinal Cipriani Thorne -- and the first abrogation of a Francis document

No bishop was as hated by Francis, since his time as Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio, as the conservative Archbishop of Lima, Peru, Cardinal Cipriani Thorne (now emeritus). Since Benedict XVI's meeting for Latin American bishops in Aparecida, Brazil (2007), Bergoglio identified Cipriani as the enemy to be isolated. 

Francis met Cipriani after his election, but then proceeded to remake Lima as a bastion of "progressive" Catholicism in Latin America.

For the Feast of St. Francis: Lenin's "mea culpa" "We would need ten Saint Francis'."

 

 Lenin's Real Legacy  

65 Franciscan Martyrs under Communism*

I came across this rather old article and thought it merited a translation for the Feast of St. Francis in celebration of the universal wonder this great saint enjoys among the most unlikely characters, as he was the complete opposite of their atheistic ideologies.  Some of our readers no doubt already know about Lenin’s ‘mea colpa’ but I did not and would like to share it with others who know nothing of these historical statements from the man and mastermind behind Soviet Communism.   F.R. 

 *******

 Paolo Vicentin

«Avvenire»

12th  July 2007

Best Videos of the Week (1st Saturday of October)

Starting this week, Rorate will gather the most significant videos of the past week, in case you missed some of the Catholic news.

Our choices for this week:

1. The words of Leo XIV to the media on the Durbin award:

The Fire of Faith - Our Lady of Clear Creek video

May this new video by Clear Creek Abbey (Oklahoma) inspire you and yours to deepen your interest in monastic life:

A Letter from a Priest of Jesus Christ to the Faithful of the Diocese of Charlotte: "A house built on the sand of deceit cannot endure the buffeting winds of truth."

A faithful priest who must remain anonymous has sent this letter to the faithful of the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, who are attached to the Traditional Latin Mass.

He requested us to have it published here as well.

Dear TLM Faithful of the Diocese of Charlotte,

You may not know me, but I am well-acquainted with your diocese and the challenges you face, as I regularly speak with your priests and many among your community. I am a priest in good standing, and though I would prefer to sign this letter openly, the current climate in the Church, though hopefully fading, requires me to remain anonymous for prudence’s sake.

The Cupich-Durbin Affair: Papal Interviews need to End

Cardinal Cupich -- the undeserving prelate unfortunately placed by Francis at the helm of one of America's greatest dioceses (and birthplace of the current Roman Pontiff), Chicago -- in his customary divisive and brusque style, tried to give a Catholic award to one of the most pro-abortion voices in the United States Congress, Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois. At least 10 bishops opposed this move.

Yesterday, a reporter put Leo XIV on the spot regarding this. The question was poorly phrased and the answer was serene, but as confusing as can be:

“I am come to cast fire on the earth. And what do I want, but that it be enkindled?” – Sermon for the Feast of the Holy Archangel Michael

The following sermon was preached at a traditional Mass today in the USA.

“I am come to cast fire on the earth. And what do I want, but that it be enkindled?”

The breaking of the seventh seal from the Book of Revelation depicts a scene of a certain angel. Seven angels surround God’s presence in Heaven. One angel then steps forth before the celestial altar in Heaven, bearing a golden thurible in his hand. This angel, a celestial thurifer, is given ‘much incense’ to offer to God. Such incense, as the text states, is in fact the ‘prayers of the saints.’ (Rev. 8:3)

For the Record: TLM back at upper church of Saint Peter's Basilica on Michaelmas (End of March 2021 Ban)

[Important update (3 pm EDT): We've been told by a Roman priest in the know that this same Michaelmas mass was also announced for the same altar at the same date, at 7 am, in the two previous years. However, it was celebrated very discreetly under the previous pontificate.]

September 29, 2025

 

In March 2021, we published a very sad post regarding the end of the Traditional Latin Mass in Saint Peter's Basilica: 

Charlotte Bishop's New Insult: Please, don't go to the new TLM spot all at once, it won't fit everybody

 The letter announcing the final closure of the 4 Traditional Latin Mass venues in Charlotte is quite astounding -- the Bishop even recognizes the new single place far from everywhere is not big enough for everyone, so people can just alternate Sundays, perhaps...

What a monster.

Letter posted by the Charlotte Latin Mass Community (click for full view):

Another Traditional Mass Suppressed: Saint Cecilia’s, in Brooklyn (New York)

 

From a reader in the Diocese of Brooklyn, in New York City, another violent suppression of a Traditional Latin Mass:

Leo XIV makes his first major Curial appointment: Iannone for Bishops -- a Rorate Analysis

 ARCHBISHOP FILIPPO IANNONE, O.Carm, PREFECT OF BISHOPS

A Rorate Analysis of the Pope's First Prefect

by Serre Verweij

Celebrating a mass of Paul VI at Isola del Liri, Latium, in 2018

After four and a half months, Pope Leo XIV has finally announced his own replacement as prefect for the Dicastery for Bishops. Rather than an obscure outsider from the peripheries, he appointed the current prefect of the Dicastery for Legislative Texts, Archbishop Filippo Iannone (age 67), a native of Naples, Campania, as the new prefect. Both the secretary of the Dicastery for Bishops, Brazilian Archbishop Ilson de Jesus Montanari, and the undersecretary, Bosnian Fr. Ivan Kovac, have been confirmed for new five year terms, suggesting a desire for gradual reform over revolutionary shakeups on the part of Pope Leo.

New TLM Suppression: Diocese of Austin axes scheduled Latin Mass at Texas A&M University

 

News sent by our friends at Texas A&M in College Station:

College Station, Texas – In a stunning intervention, the Diocese of Austin has forced the cancellation of a scheduled Traditional Latin Mass at Texas A&M University, silencing one of the most vibrant and growing expressions of Catholic faith among young people in America.

Families and Children – Another View

Families and Children – Another View

 

Innocence

 

Nothing warms my heart more than the sight of a happy child! Visiting a Chinese restaurant in London some time ago, I observed on a nearby table a mum and a dad surrounded by five young children. The whole family was up to their elbows in duck, pancakes and hoisin sauce, whilst the children chatted merrily together. At the end of my own meal, I made a point of going up to the family and addressing the parents. “God bless you for your large family!” I said. They smiled back at me, obviously slightly embarrassed, as nobody had said that to them before. I always make a point of congratulating the parents of large families in this way and this is because I feel so warm-hearted when I see them surrounded by children who are happy and cheerful. Children who are innocent are always happy and content. They may be very poor, or suffer tragedies and illnesses, and yet innocence radiates through their sparkling eyes. 

 

Published Article: Attendance of Traditional Latin Mass strongly correlated with Stronger Belief in the Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament

Pontifical Mass in the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia

It seems obvious to those of us attached to Traditional Catholicism, but Dr. Natalie Lindemann, at William Paterson University (Wayne, New Jersey), actually went to the trouble of conducting the social research to prove it and of publishing a detailed analysis of the results in the article "Liturgy Matters: Traditional Liturgical Practices Predict Belief in the Real Presence."

Interesting excerpt:

The Glow of the Ember Days: Ember Week in September

We all need it -- the Church needs it.

May you all have a fruitful week, with our repost of our text for this Ember Week in Autumn.

__________________________________________________________

THE GLOW
OF THE EMBER DAYS

By Michael P. Foley

A potential danger of traditionalism is the stubborn defense of something about which one knows little. I once asked a priest who had just finished beautifully celebrating an Ember Saturday Mass about the meaning of the Ember days. He replied (with an impish twinkle in his eye) that he hadn’t a clue, but he was furious they had been suppressed.

Traditionalists, however, are not entirely to blame for their unfamiliarity with this important part of their patrimony. Most only have the privilege of assisting at a Sunday Tridentine Mass, and hence the Ember days—which occur on a weekday or Saturday—slip by unnoticed. And long before the opening session of the Second Vatican Council, the popularity of these observances had atrophied.

So why care about them now? To answer this question, we must first determine what they are.

The Four Seasons

A Rare Occasion: NCR publishes Praise of the Latin Mass -- The TLM "continues to draw young Catholics because it refuses to compromise the signs of the sacred."

NCR, the National "Catholic" Reporter, the bastion of extreme liberalism in America. It is the epitome of Boomerism and cringy radicalism, as out-of-date as a felt banner.

So we were very pleasantly surprised with the guest article they accepted to publish today, authored by Roxie Beckles (also known as "That Black Catholic Chick"), part of a series they are running on "Views on the First U.S. Pope"), with strong praise for the Traditional Mass and its attraction to the faithful -- and the hope that the Pope Leo XIV will understand that it is reverence and holiness that will keep attracting young people to the Church.

An excerpt fom the piece: 

"Pope Leo, Listen to Us! We are Orphans." -- How can there be "dialogue" with Traditional Catholics after Ecclesia Dei and all institutions for dialogue were suppressed by Francis?

Christian Marquant, the chairman of the organizing committee of the Traditional "Summorum Pontificum" pilgrimage to Rome (which will include this year once again the Mass in Saint Peter's, celebrated by Cardinal Burke), is happy that Pope Leo XIV indicated, in his book-interview, that he wants to "listen" to Traditional Catholics.

But how can we be heard if very few want to listen to us? And if the main office for dialogue with Traditional Catholics, the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, was dismantled by Francis, and nothing put in its place?

Marquant is interviewed by Paix Liturgique regarding a "dialogue" with no Roman or diocesan interlocutors:

PAIX LITURGIQUE – Dear Christian, how do you interpret the Holy Father's remark?

Christian Marquant – First, we must thank Pope Leo for his interest in us and in this matter. Then, if you allow me, we must turn ourselves to the concrete current reality.

PAIX LITURGIQUE – And what is that reality?

LEO IN HIS OWN WORDS: THE KEY POINTS OF THE INTERVIEW - Part V in the Series "The First Year of Leo XIV"

This fifth part of our ongoing series dedicated to the First Year of Leo XIV, written by Rorate contributor Serre Verweij, is a little different from the previous ones. It is dedicated to a point by point analysis of Pope Leo XIV's interview to Crux, published as the second part of the book "Leo XIV: Citizen of the World, Missionary of the 21st Century".

Series: The First Year of Leo XIV

V  - LEO IN HIS OWN WORDS

Excerpts from the first real substantial interview of Pope Leo have been published. He gave the honour to Crux Now. The fact that he chose to give the interview to a traditionally centrist (though arguably centre-left) site that had become more centre-right in the last few years, might itself be quite indicative.

Outgoing Bishop Kills Traditional Latin Mass in Monterey (California) -- Poor Catholics of Austin, Texas!

 Bishop Daniel Garcia was named by Leo XIV for the huge diocese of the Texan capital, Austin, in July -- transferred from Monterey, California, to which he had been named by Francis in 2018.

As a parting gift to the faithful of Monterey, he decided to kill the 17-year-old Traditional Latin Mass in the diocese. Could something be more petty, more pathetic, and more ridiculous?

LEO AND THE LATIN AMERICANS - Part IV in the Series "The First Year of Leo XIV"

This is the fourth of several analyses written for Rorate by our contributor Serre Verweij on Leo XIV's first year.

Series: The First Year of Leo XIV

IV  - LEO AND THE LATIN AMERICANS

[Part I - Leo and the Germans.]

[Part II - Leo and Synodality.]

[Part III - Leo and the Radicals.]

I warmly greet all the bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean, joined in a collegial spirit to discern together the current challenges to the church in Latin America and to seek, in affective and effective communion, pastoral initiatives that lead to solutions in accordance with the criteria of the Sacred Scripture, Tradition, and the Magisterium.

With these words, Pope Leo XIV began his message to the bishops of the Conference of the Latin American Episcopate (CELAM), on the 70th anniversary of their foundation, at the Rio de Janeiro Conference of 1955. 

For the Record: extracts from a recent interview with Cardinal Robert Sarah: Fiducia supplicans, a document to be forgotten; it is not possible to prohibit a rite that is over a thousand years old.

 

Synodality, the Mass in the ancient rite, the blessing of homosexual couples, Africa: a conversation with the Prefect Emeritus of Divine Worship. Reprinted from Secretum meum mihi, since reproduction from Avvenire is forbidden. *

by Giacomo Gambassi, Rome,

 September 12th, 2025

Your Eminence, Leo XIV frequently refers to the unity of the Church. Would this be an urgent matter ?

Pope Leo XIV Talks About the Traditional Latin Mass (updated with full excerpt)

 

From an excerpt of the new book-interview with Elise Ann Allen, of Crux, released today -- a direct quote from the Pope's response:

[Elise Ann Allen]: Regarding the study group on liturgy, what is being studied? How much of the reason for establishing this was related to divisions surrounding the Traditional Latin Mass, for example, or issues such as the new Amazonian rite?

 

[Leo XIV]: My understanding of what the group came out of is primarily from issues that have to do with the inculturation of the liturgy. How to continue the process of making the liturgy more meaningful within a different culture, within a specific culture, in a specific place at any given time. I think that was the primary issue.

Cardinal Gambetti, Administrator of Saint Peter’s, on the Latin Mass: “I have been told that we will wait for the Holy Father to decide.”

 

Cardinal Mauro Gambetti has been the main administrator of the Vatican Basilica since 2021, after being named by Francis for the triple position of Archpriest for Saint Peter's Basilica, Vicar General for the Vatican City State, and President of the Fabric of Saint Peter.

A Wonderful Event: the Impression of the Holy Stigmata on Saint Francis

Giotto, Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata
Musée du Louvre (1295)

On September 17, we celebrate the memory of the awesome impression of the Holy Stigmata of Our Lord Jesus Christ on Saint Francis on the Tuscan hill known as Mount Alvernia (La Verna), in 1224.

Brother Ugolino tells the story in detail in his Fioretti (Little Flowers), and we encourage reading it for the feel of the place, the times, the people -- and how it is all connected with the feasts and flows of the Traditional Liturgical Year and the Breviary, including the period that goes from the Feast of the Holy Cross to the Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel:

As the Feast of the Holy Cross then drew nigh, in the month of September, Brother Leo went one night at his accustomed hour to say Matins with St Francis.

The Death of Europe | Will Leo XIV visit Lampedusa? A Grave Mistake -- and the Lampedusans themselves would not be happy

 Very few things made European Catholics more unhappy with Francis than his tone-deaf approach to the criminal enterprise bringing millions of illegal migrants to Europe, and deeply changing the demographics, religion, and criminality of vast areas of the Continent.

And the main early symbol of that attitude was Francis' visit to one of the most popular destinations used by the people-smuggling gangs: the small island of Lampedusa, in Sicily. Lampedusa was, for instance, the first spot in Europe visited by the terrorist responsible for the Nice attacks (our post regarding it here). As we said at the time: