This Holy Week is the first one under the "Universae Ecclesiae" clarifications issued by the Vatican last April.
To that end, let us recall the instruction approved by Pope Benedict XVI concerning traditional Latin liturgies on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday:
"33. If there is a qualified priest, a coetus fidelium ('group of faithful'), which follows the older liturgical tradition, can also celebrate the Sacred Triduum in the forma extraordinaria. When there is no church or oratory designated exclusively for such celebrations, the parish priest or Ordinary, in agreement with the qualified priest, should find some arrangement favourable to the good of souls, not excluding the possibility of a repetition of the celebration of the Sacred Triduum in the same church."
In 2007, Summorum Pontificum caused widespread confusion, as it innocently clarified Sacred Triduum liturgies must be public (not private). Many took this to mean traditional Latin liturgies were prohibited during the Sacred Triduum.
Thanks to Universae Ecclesiae, there is not only explicit permission for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday liturgies using the 1962 (albeit, sadly, not prior) books, but there is even an above-and-beyond indult for those traditional Latin liturgies to be offered in the same church and on the same day as novus ordo services. All barriers have been removed. Let us thank the pope by attending these liturgies where offered.
