On December 30, 2017, the Rev. Fr. Thomas Longua, FSSP, offered the first traditional Latin Mass at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Dallas, Texas. Fr. Longua is the pastor of Mater Dei in Irving, Texas, an apostolate of the Fraternity of St. Peter under the diocese of Dallas.
The Mass followed an eight-mile pilgrimage from Mater Dei to the cathedral at the conclusion of Mater Dei's altar boy camp. Fr. Longua offered a low Mass at the altar of the Blessed Sacrament, and preached on vocations, encouraging the boys to give all their efforts to God. (The vestments were made by a parishioner.) The Mass was offered with the gracious permission of the Rev. Fr. Stephen Bierschenk, rector of the cathedral, and His Excellency Bishop Edward Burns.
With well over a thousand faithful at its five Sunday Masses, Mater Dei is the largest FSSP apostolate in the United States. It recently launched a capital campaign to raise half the eventual cost of a new church in the Spanish Mission style, estimated at $4.5 million (contribute here; inquiries business.manager@materdeiparish.com). The current small church building limits attendance significantly.
(Text: local reader)
(Text: local reader)
