It seems we'll never know what happened at St. John Cantius, Chicago

Saint John Cantius in Chicago, the church brought back to life by Fr. C. Frank Phillips and his Canons Regular, was a famous example, known around the world, of how beauty in the liturgy (and the Traditional Mass, which is celebrated with great reverence alongside a beautified Novus Ordo in that church) could function as a catalyst for the restoration of the faith of the people.

Sadly, a few months ago, the Archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Cupich, removed Fr. Phillips from his post, after learning of "credible allegations of improper conduct involving adult men." (Chicago Tribune)

After months of speculation, the Congregation of the Resurrection (C.R.), the order to which the founder of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius, Fr. Frank Phillips, belonged, issued a final statement on his situation:

Something happened. What happened? The Congregation of the Ressurrection and the Archdiocese of Chicago have an obligation to make public those parts of their conclusions that can be made public (that is, with names or other information that could identify specific persons blacked out). Otherwise, the removal of Fr. Phillips will be seen as a persecution motivated not by his "improper conduct" (what was it?), but actually by his good work at St. John Cantius. The people have a rightful expectation to know what actually happened.

(Letter image source: Twitter account of Fr. Cusick)

Sarah and Cupich: Going in different directions

While Cardinal Sarah is advocating that the Latin Rite return, as a whole (that is, including the New Mass of Paul VI), to worshiping ad orientem liturgicum, Archbishop Cupich of Chicago seems intent on reinforcing the status quo favoring ad populum -- even extending it (at least momentarily) back to sanctuaries from where it had already been banished.

You Suggest: Sancta Missa Latin Mass Workshop for the Laity April 30

We were asked to bring this opportunity to our readers: 

On Saturday, April 30th, the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse will be hosting a Sancta Missa Latin Mass Workshop for anyone who would like to learn about the basics and theology of the Extraordinary Form of the Mass (also known as the Traditional Latin Mass or the Classical Roman Rite).

You Report: Pontifical Mass in celebration of 7th anniversary of Summorum Pontificum

As we had announced here, the Archbishop of Santa Fe, Michael J. Sheehan, celebrated on Monday at the St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, a Votive Mass on the 7th anniversary of the promulgation, by Benedict XVI, of the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum. A reader reports:

The Solemn Pontifical Mass (a votive Mass of the Most Precious Blood) was celebrated from the throne. The Canons Regular of St. John Cantius did an excellent job directing His Excellency, Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan , the priests, deacons, seminarians, and servers in the execution of the ceremonies of this Mass. Among those in attendance were priests, religious, and faithful from the Archdiocese. Thanks be to God for the many graces given to those who assisted at this Mass as well to all in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.