Happy Solemnity of Mary Mother of God (OF) or Octave Day of the Nativity (EF)! A Few Small Things to Start Things Off ...

Happy New Year and Solemnity/Octave of the Nativity!

Hope your holidays and Holy sojourns were well in this TRUE time of  the season of Christmas! Mine was pretty decent, and in spending good time with my fiancee and family, needless to say blogging wasn't my priority in the last few days. Sorry about not wishing anyone a Merry Christmas.

Well, I'll make up for that a little, with a few random tidbits, though I ask kindly you pay attention to the first tidbit, as it is in support of a holy and beautiful initiative in the Archdiocese of Toronto:

1) Latin Novus Ordo Mass in the Archdiocese of Toronto, St. James Catholic Church on Annette St. 

Some of you might have caught a prior offering as part of my "special" Latin Mass offerings page, or the ones last month in combination of promoting the St. Patrick's Gregorian Choir Immaculate Conception Mass.

Under the gracious leadership of Fr. Ignacio Pinedo, St. James Catholic Church is embarking on what is now confirmed to be a series of offerings in the Novus Ordo, but in Latin! While there has not been the usual amount of web and Catholic Register coverage for the next offering, this is what they offered last month, and will be doing so again this coming Saturday, January 3, at 5pm:

Saturday, January 3, 2015: 
5 p.m Vigil. (OF-Feast of the Epiphany)
St. James Church
728 Annette St., Toronto

From Last Month`s Archdiocese of Toronto Website advertisement:
``Latin Mass Revisited
Rediscover the beauty of the solemn Latin Mass in this modern Eucharistic celebration. We will be celebrating the Mass using the original Latin text of the Third Typical Edition of the Roman Missal (note: this is not the Tridentine form of the Mass).
Side-by-side Latin and English Missals will be provided for those attending. A truly uplifting experience that is both ancient and new, bridging past and present. For more information, contact St. James Church at st.james@sympatico.ca or call 416-767-6451.``
_____     _____     _____     ______     _______    ______

• Location: St. James Roman Catholic Church
• Address: 728 Annette St., Toronto, Ontario, CAN
• Google Maps: https://plus.google.com/105912210603375556435/about?gl=ca&hl=en

These offerings are going to be held usually every first Saturday Vigil of the month, or Second Saturday Vigil in the case of inability for whatever reason to use the first Saturday. The time will be 5pm. I personally plan to promote these offerings on Servimus Unum Deum, and will add them as well to my ``special`` offerings postings that cover a 4 month span, despite not being an EF/1962 Mass. Both forms of the rite are important, and when initiatives like this happen, they will not be ignored for the sake of "being trad."

So please everyone, I encourage you to re-consider your Mass plans this weekend, for one weekend this month, and come out and support St. James. And please, give them a generous monetary donation for their Latin Novus Ordo! This will send a clear message that the laity of Toronto want this to occur there, and even in more parishes! Money talks! More importantly, this IS the New Evangelization at play, and it is great to see a pastor, and a parish, seriously taking to heart what our recent popes (including Francis) are trying to inspire in the faithful ..... the real Vatican II. 

Not to mention .... if you happen to know of anyone, on both the choir end of things familiar with latin hymns/Gregorian Chant, OR experience serving solemn level Novus Ordo Masses, please immediately contact me. This initiative will welcome the additional experience/help. 

2) The Archdiocese of Toronto's ARCAT (Archives of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto) blog .... making this liturgical young man filled with glee this Christmas ....

Gotta say, some blogs are really cool. Not to mention if you can`t tell I take pride in being under the spiritual leadership of ++Collins, and to me, I`ve just found one more reason to love him and the Archdiocese of Toronto .... THE ARCAT BLOG!!!

ARCAT, is short for the Archives of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto, which ``... collects, preserves and makes available for research the official records of the Archdiocese of Toronto and those ancillary records which reflect the work of the Church within the Archdiocese.`` Besides that, they have started a really cool initiative called the Sacred Objects exchange, which will allow for restoration of old objects to better or new condition, and can even lend out objects for liturgical/sacred functions. While the exchange is still in need of more items, it is great to see this as part of the Archdiocese of Toronto. (Nota Bene .... Priests! Lay People! If you have liturgical items or vestments, including Latin Mass (Roman Fiddleback) stuff, give them to ARCAT's exchange! Build up the inventory!!!) 

Now here's the kicker. They have a blog! It's called "The Archivist's Pencil." While I do not know who the archivist blogging is by name, they write a weekly blog post or so, where they highlight one of their items in the archives, anything from notes or letters written by past priests, to some of the cool items they have in store down there. 

This Christmas, and I mean Christmas proper, from the Nativity of our Lord to the Feast of the Epiphany proper (which is truthfully Jan 6, but in the Novus Ordo they move it to be on Sunday,) they are highlighting an item each day. What items have they highlighted??? One example is Cardinal Collins' 2013 conclave folder and his seemingly regular stationary pen. Nope they didn't use a 24K golden one. 

However, I am in such glee recently, as ..... they have been highlighting some interesting items dealing with the Latin Mass!!! Two of them dealing with the Pontifical (Bishop's) level of Latin Mass! Here's all the Latin Mass related entries:

2nd day: Maniples! - http://www.archives-archtoronto.blogspot.ca/2014/12/on-second-day-of-christmas-arcat-stored.html

3rd day: Cardinal Ambrosic's Mitres of all classes - http://www.archives-archtoronto.blogspot.ca/2014/12/on-third-day-of-christmas-arcat-stored.html

6th day: My fave so far .... BUSKINS!!! Liturgical Stockings for bishops! - http://www.archives-archtoronto.blogspot.ca/2014/12/on-sixth-day-of-christmas-arcat-stored.html

So what can I say ... ARCAT's blog has made this Latin Mass participant/server a very happy guy! Check out their other days of Christmas. I encourage you STRONGLY to sign up for their blog on their blogger feed and follow along. Support the archivists!

3) Personal Stuff, and some things on my to do list in the next while ...

Today, for the Octave of the Nativity in the Extraordinary form, I decided to catch up with one of my best friends in the Catholic faith, and a fellow Latin Mass server. He goes now only to the Latin Mass/EF, and I felt it would be a great day to pay a visit to Holy Family Church (Parkdale) with him for the EF Solemn Mass at 11am. It's been a while for both him and the EF (outside of the SPGC masses I assist with), so it was great to make today a reverent and holy day in good company. Of course, EF Mass is always a treasure to go to, with a decent amount more youth there than the average Mass. 

Not to mention I got to catch a glimpse of the almighty ... okay, I am gloating but still ... Most Reverend, Father Jonathan Robinson of the Oratory. He wasn't a part of the clergy party in today's Mass, but it's still a sight to see such a holy and reverend father still at work with the Oratory. He's well known for his modern day writings and spiritual works in the Church, of which includes writing for the Catholic Register for a period of time in the 80's and 90's. There is a book sold at the oratory which features his best work for our unofficial Archdiocesan newspaper at the church of Holy Family, for your information.  

As for what's to come in the next bit for Servimus Unum Deum, my game plan is to get out of the way a few posts I've been dying to write, through my first one will be an extra special one, highlighting a new Latin Mass start up in Ontario. Also, I have started a bit on the acolyte posting and I am dying to do that as well as the low mass for one server. I also just remembered I wanted to make a post on the summer course I did in 2014 for the New Evangelization from SINE, but man time flew and between wedding plans, my tiring work life and such, it slipped my mind. Not to mention a photo post from December's Immaculate Conception Mass, and perhaps new items as they come up. 

Plus, there's always room for defending the Catholic blogosphere from the slander, calumny, and detraction from those dark denizens, who give the Latin Mass and Traditional Catholicism a bad name. To them, and to my detractors, I'll keep fighting for the Lord and to see that this movement comes to positive fruition with the Joy of the Gospel, not the Despair of the Judgement. BRING IT ON!!!! I'm like that classic, uppity, hero type, protagonist in Japanese anime ... I'm in the battle for good now and I will continue to go forward with my allies. Onward ho!

Pax, Julian. 

Note of Change: Expansion of Coverage for Latin Mass Listings to Include All of Ontario

Hello Everyone,

I have decided to make a decision to expand my regular listings (e.g. weekly, daily) as well as listings for the most important feast days of the Liturgical year (e.g. Christmas, Holy Week, Octave of Christmas/Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God) to include ALL of Ontario. Listings will be added and updated to my regular listings page upon some form of confirmation (e.g. bulletin, online, e-mail) for the listing.

As for my special offerings pages, (the ones I do for 4 month periods) I will continue to focus solely on those offerings in the Archdiocese of Toronto. However, upon written request to my e-mail account associated with this blog, I will post any desired listings should someone from an outside (arch)diocese ask for an addition. It will be titled, "Special Request - XXXXX, (Arch)Diocese of XXXXXX" to indicate such.

Thank you. Pax, Julian.

Updated Latin Mass Offering List for 2014 and Jan 1 2015 for all of Ontario!

NEW UPDATES!!!!!!Now Covering All of Ontario for Christmas and Jan 1 (Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God).

See Here: http://torontotlmserving.blogspot.ca/2014/12/latin-masses-for-christmas-2014-and.html

Pax, Julian.

Deep, Spiritual Food for Thought, Thanks to Abbey Roads Blog

Hello Everyone,

Just wow on this one, courtesy of the Abbey Roads blog of Terry Nelson, and further credit to pre-Vatican II French Theologian Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange. O.P. (Dominican):

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Problems in the blogosphere some spiritual persons miss ...

Big mistake...

THE TENDENCY TO DERISION

Among the causes of tepidity in retarded souls, the tendency to derision should be particularly noted. St. Thomas speaks of the derider when he discusses the vices opposed to justice: insult, detraction, murmuring against the reputation of our neighbor. He points out that to deride or to ridicule someone, is to show that we do not esteem him; and derision, says the saint, may become a mortal sin if it affects persons or things that deserve high esteem. It is a grievous sin to ridicule the things of God, or our parents, or superiors, or good persons who lead a virtuous life. Derision may even become very grievous by reason of its consequences, for it may turn weak souls forever away from the practice of good. Job replied to his friends: "He that is mocked by his friends as I, shall call upon God; and He will hear him. For the simplicity of the just man is laughed to scorn."  But it is also said of deriders: "He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh at them."  The terrible irony of heaven will chastise that of earth. 

The derider is himself a retarded soul, holding others back and becoming, often without being aware of it, the instrument of the spirit of evil. His cast of soul, which is the direct opposite of evangelical simplicity, is the one most opposed to supernatural contemplation. The derider, who wishes "to play the rogue," ridicules the just man who tends truly to perfection; he emphasizes the latter's defects and depreciates his good qualities. Why is this? Because he feels that he himself has little virtue, and he is unwilling to admit his inferiority. Then, out of spite, he lessens the real and fundamental value of his neighbor and the necessity of virtue itself. He may greatly harm weak souls which he intimidates, and, while working his own ruin, he may labor at their perdition. - Three Ages of the Interior Life; Part II, Ch 37 

A big fat hat tip to you, Terry Nelson. Man I did not know you can get into some deep spiritual muck with all this. This is clearly one for all of us blogging online. 

Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin.  

Latin Masses for Christmas 2014 and January 1, 2015 in Ontario

UPDATE Dec 24, 2014

I have decided to expand my listings to the whole of Ontario for the Latin Mass. I was sent information about another listing in another diocese, and the Toronto Traditional Mass Society has released a more detailed list of offerings (credit to them), therefore this list is now expanded.

Pax, and a Blessed and Merry Christmas to you, and a Happy New Year.
___________________________________________________________

Due to the fact that Christmas is one of the most well-attended liturgical days in the calendar, and an important MANDATORY ATTENDANCE/OBLIGATION DAY TO GO TO MASS!!!! I have also included Masses outside the GTA. Normally I focus on the core of the Archdiocese, but including the outskirts will give more available Mass choices for the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

Might I also add that January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, IS ALSO MANDATORY ATTENDANCE/OBLIGATION DAY TO GO TO MASS!!!!

The offerings are divided into 1) The ``Core`` offerings which consist of those in the Greater Toronto Area, or are part of Latin Mass churches that do not need a couple hours driving time to get to, and
2) Outskirt offerings, which require more driving time by car to get to, and are NOT part of the municipal boundaries that is the Greater Toronto Area, but are part of the Archdiocese of Toronto`s boundaries that are much different from municipal ones, and 3) Offerings in other parts of Ontario, NOT in the Archdiocese of Toronto.

"Core" of the Archdiocese of Toronto

Oratorians

Holy Fanily Church, 1372 King St. West, Toronto, ON

December 24th:

• Extra Confessions 7:00-8:00pm EST
• Solemn EF/Latin Mass for Nativity of Our Lord (First Mass at Midnight)- Midnight Mass

December 25th:

• Solemn EF/Latin Mass for Nativity of Our Lord (Third Mass: During the Daytime) - 11:00am

December 31: 

• Extra Confessions 4:00 - 5:00 pm
• Extra Confessions 10:00 - 11:00 pm

January 1, 2015:

• Solemn EF/Latin Mass for Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

St. Vincent De Paul Parish, 263 Roncesvalle Ave, Toronto, ON

December 25th:

• EF/Latin Low Mass for Nativity of Our Lord - 9:30am

St. Lawrence the Martyr

2210 Lawrence Avenue East, Scarborough, ON (Near Lawrence Ave. E. & Kennedy Road) 

December 25th:

• Missa Lecta/Low Mass WITH MUSIC for Nativity of Our Lord (Third Mass: During the Day) - 1pm EST

January 1, 2015: 

• Missa Lecta/Low Mass for Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God - 1pm EST

St. Issac Jogues

1148 Finch Avenue, Pickering, ON

• No Christmas or New Year's offerings in the Extraordinary Form. If interested in any Novus Ordo offerings, please see here: http://www.stisaacjogueschurch.com/ 
• However, there will be the regularly scheduled 11:00am High or Solemn Latin Mass for January 3, 2015.

Other offerings???

None known at this current time. 

Outskirts of the Archdicoese of Toronto

Convent of Carmel in Zephyr, Ontario

Carmel of the Infant Jesus,  12519 Concession Road 2, Zephyr, Ontario

• December 25th - 3pm, EF/Latin Low Mass for Nativity of our Lord (Third Mass: During the Day) (Celebrated by Fr. Russell Asch, Assistant priest of St. Joseph's Catholic Church (streetsville) Mississauga). This Mass is likely a Low Mass due to location and chapel size, without external assistance. 

St. Patrick's Schomberg, Ontario

91 Church Street, Schomberg, Ontario

December 25th: 

• 9am, Low Mass - Nativity of our Lord (Third Mass - During the Daytime) (Likely celebrated by Fr. Liam Gavigan). 

January 1, 2015:

• 9am, Low Mass - Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (Likely celebrated by Fr. Liam Gavigan). 

Other Archdicoeses

Peterborough

Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (St. Mary's) (http://www.saintmaryschurch.info/) 

21 Centre St., Campbellford, ON 

December 25th:

• 8am, Low Mass with Chant - Nativity of our Lord (Likely 2nd Mass - At Dawn)

Hamilton

HAMILTON PROPER

St. Mary of the Purification - Mount Forest

146 Park St North, Hamilton, ON

December 24th:

• Midnight - EF/Latin Missa Cantata - Nativity of our Lord (First Mass - At Midnight)

January 1, 2015:

• 1130 Am - EF/Latin Missa Cantata??? - Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God 

KITCHENER

St. Anne's Catholic Church

 268 EAST AVENUE, KITCHENER, ONTARIO  

December 25th:

• No Latin Mass. Offering has been deferred to St. Clement's Catholic Church. Please See Waterloo Below.

January 1, 2015

• 11:30am - EF/Latin (Missa Cantata?) (Assistance from FSSP Thorold???) - Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God 

WATERLOO

St. Clement's Catholic Church

3619 Lobsinger Line, St. Clement's, Ontario (part of Waterloo region)

December 25th:

• 1:00pm - EF/Latin Missa Cantata - Nativity of our Lord (Third Mass - During the Daytime)

London

LONDON PROPER

St. Anne Catholic Church

20 Morrison Drive, St. Thomas (London) ON

December 25th:

• 11:00 am - EF/Latin Missa Cantata - Nativity of Our Lord (Third Mass - During the Daytime)

January 1st, 2015:

• ???????

WINDSOR (See Benedict Tridentine Latin Mass Community - http://www.windsorlatinmass.org/)

Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church
681 McEwan Ave., Windsor, ON

December 25th:

• 2:00pm - EF Latin Missa Cantata - Nativity of Our Lord (Third Mass - During the Daytime)

St. Alphonsus Catholic Church
January 1st, 2015:

• 2:00pm - EF Latin Missa Cantata - Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

St. Catharines

THOROLD, ON

St. Aloysius Gonzaga Catholic Church (Fraternal Society of St. Peter- http://www.staloysius-latinmass.ca/)

317 Morton St., Thorold, ON

December 24th:

• Midnight - Solemn EF/Latin for Nativity of Our Lord (First Mass at Midnight) 

December 25th:

• 9am - Low Mass - Nativity of our Lord (Second Mass - At Dawn)

January 1st, 2015

• ???? To be determined.

Ottawa

St. Clement Catholic Church (At St. Anne's) (Fraternal Society of St. Peter - http://stclement-ottawa.org/en/home/)

528 Old St. Patrick`s Street, Ottawa, ON

December 24th:

• Midnight - Solemn EF/Latin for Nativity of Our Lord (First Mass at Midnight) 

December 25th:

• 8:30am - Low Mass - Nativity of our Lord (Second Mass - At Dawn)
• 10:30am - Nativity of Our Lord (Third Mass - During the Daytime)

January 1st, 2015 - Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

• 8:30am - Low Mass/Missa Lecta 
• 10:30am - High Mass/Missa Cantata

One more note. just because these parishes are not offering Christmas Day or New Years Day masses in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, or Masses not at the level you want them to, or in large quantities, that does not mean you skip them entirely on such days. I highly encourage you to go to these parishes that host the Latin Masses on Christmas or New Years and drop a big fat wad of cash in the collection plates. Why? Because while it won't be for the specific purposes, remember:

The Latin Mass does not just run on prayers and attendance. Your money goes toward keeping those parishes in the black, weekly upkeep including supplies (e.g. candle oil, hosts, INCENSE AND CHARCOAL FOR THE THURIBLE, etc.,) and possibly even buying new liturgical items for the Latin Masses. 

When those parishes are financially struggling, they will not continue with a Latin Mass in the future, or drop it, cause they can receive more support financially, verbally, physically, and spiritually from the remainder of the parishioners. . You have to keep them open! In addition, if you so choose, you could write on the envelope "For Latin Mass purposes only". It's not a guarantee but it will send a message to the priest/money counters that there is a demand and it cannot be ignored. Photo your envelope if you want before Mass as proof in case you must provide it when protests of lies are being made by angry Lie-berals, selfish complainers, or Latin Mass-hating clergy who are drowning in liberal theology.   

Bottom line, support these Latin Mass hosting parishes, or ones that hold Latin Novus Ordo Masses, why even REVERENT Novus Ordo Masses. Or they won't remain open to support your spiritual needs. Quid Pro Quo, people. Also, don't forget to support the parishes in other ways, such as when they need volunteers to setup/takedown events, charity drives, youth ministry, etc. Be the shining forces and light in their programs. Don't just be a 1-hour clock in, clock out person!

Pax, Julian. 

Report: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Solemn Latin Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Toronto, 7pm Dec 8, 2014

"AVE MARIA, GRATIA PLENA, DOMINUS TECUM ....."

Hello Everyone,

What an Advent season miracle that has just happened this past day! The Archdiocese of Toronto, under the holy and considerate leadership of His Eminence, Thomas Cardinal Collins, was graced to have had not just one, or two, but FIVE Latin Masses on this Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Two of these offerings were part of the daily Missa Lectae (Low Masses) offered by St. Lawrence the Martyr, Scarborough, and Holy Family under the Oratorians (11am and 1130am respectively).

But get this ... THE OTHER THREE WERE SOLEMN LATIN MASSES IN THE EVENING! THREE! We are talking three clergy, incense, acolytes with candles, perhaps even a boat bearer and torches at some of the offerings, and beautiful Gregorian Chant and hymns to celebrate this sacred mystery! One was the Oratorians at Holy Family for 6pm, and the other two at the same time, were: St. Joseph's in Mississauga, Ontario with the (likely direction) of the Toronto Traditional Mass Society, and the other, at St. Francis of Assisi for their centenary of the founding of the Parish with assistance from St. Patrick's Gregorian Choir! Both masses were 7pm!

This report will be detailing the efforts and what happened for the centenary Mass @ St. Francis of Assisi at 7pm, as I was involved in assisting the parish and St. Patrick's in the role of first acolyte for the Mass.

Primer: Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Just what were all these Masses, including those in the Ordinary Form/Novus Ordo about today? Today in the liturgical calendars of both forms of the Roman Rite, was the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

When we talk about the Immaculate Conception, this is NOT the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is easy to see where the confusion lies, as Jesus was "Immaculate" in the sense of being born without sin, and we refer to the moment the human gametes (semen/sperm and ovum/egg) in biology contact each other to begin becoming a new human life (a fetus) as "Conception," or just plainly that a newborn was "conceived" by giving birth. This is NOT the case here.

The Immaculate Conception actually refers to MARY's birth, in that she was born WITHOUT ORIGINAL SIN. Yes she was essential in Christ's birth, but this feast day celebrates her as the spotless virgin, sin-less, able to be the Theotokos (God-bearer), the perfect vessel for Christ.

This fact is of the utmost importance, that Holy Mother Church wielded her Divine Authority, Infallibly through Pope Pius IX, to declare that her Immaculate Conception is a matter of dogma, thus every Catholic MUST believe in this teaching, else they separate themselves from the Church. This was declared in the Apostolic Constitution Ineffabilis Deus, which can be viewed here entirely: http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Pius09/p9ineff.htm. The declaration is as follows:

"... by the authority of Jesus Christ our Lord, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and by our own: "We declare, pronounce, and define that the doctrine which holds that the most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instance of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by Almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin, is a doctrine revealed by God and therefore to be believed firmly and constantly by all the faithful."^[29]

Hence, if anyone shall dare -- which God forbid! -- to think otherwise than as has been defined by us, let him know and understand that he is condemned by his own judgment; that he has suffered shipwreck in the faith; that he has separated from the unity of the Church; and that, furthermore, by his own action he incurs the penalties established by law if he should are to express in words or writing or by any other outward means the errors he think in his heart.

Now that you get what this solemnity in the Church is all about, allow me to report on the preparation and the actual Mass that took place

Preparation for the Mass
Within a month before the date of this mass, word was spread about this Mass via the parish bulletin, the Archdiocese website, the SPGC associated Facebook page, as well as this blog, and perhaps word of mouth. In promoting this mass, members from St. Lawrence the Martyr's Latin Mass program, St. Francis of Assisi's altar servers, and I as an independent not affiliated with a Latin Mass parish, volunteered to assist the Lord in service at the altar, as well as another young man who was our the subdeacon, having the appropriate qualifications under the guidelines that exist for the EF.

November 29th, both the choir, and the servers met at St. Francis on that cold Saturday evening to do training for the Mass, via a run through of all major serving roles, as well as training for the subdeacon role for the young man. This training was undertaken by our veteran Master of Ceremonies with the Choir, who also co-ordinates the serving portions of each Mass that SPGC organizes. I was assigned the role of first acolyte, while others were given the roles of 2nd acolyte and thurifer. The practice went smoothly, as all individuals involved have had some or great experience serving in the EF, and/or extensive experience in carrying out those roles or the equivalent of in the Novus Ordo, making the transition quicker and easier in learning the EF.

It was also found out that of all the Novus Ordo Churches (that do not have a Latin Mass or people who come in and do them that) I have been to in assisting the St. Patrick's Gregorian choir, St. Frances of Assisi has been the most heavily equipped with liturgical items appropriate for celebration in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite!

The parish was equipped with: a gorgeous gold, "Gothic" style thurible (you might have seen this in one of my earlier posts) as well as a simpler silver one, both the complex three chain variety; a set of golden and ornate NEW altar candles which are gracious gifts from parishioners of the parish for the 100th anniversary, a Gothic style, framed set of EF altar cards, a complete set of liturgical clothing in white/gold for Solemn Latin Masses in all roles made by nuns from the 1930s (again, you've seen this in an earlier post), lantern-style torches for processions, patens with handles ... I could go on but this blew my mind to know this parish takes its liturgy with respectful seriousness and solemnity.

Save perhaps the 1962 Missal itself, little to no additional items would be needed to be brought in for this liturgy. In addition, the parish had set about to create the booklets for the Order of the Mass, in both Latin-English, and Latin-Italian.

The Solemn Latin Mass of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
And thus came the day for the EF Mass for the parish's 100th anniversary this past Monday, December 8th, 2014. Present in the clergy roles were: Fr. Jean-Marie Pilon from the diocese of Peterborough (now headed by former auxillary bishop of Toronto, +McGrattan) as celebrant, Fr. Steven Szakaczki, Latin Mass chaplain for St. Lawrence the Martyr in the role of deacon (of whom was requested by the parish to assist for the fruition of this EF Mass), and Mr. Bradley Black in the role of subdeacon, having the appropriate qualifications under EF ``customs`` as it were, to be allowed to carry out the role.

Prior to the start of the Holy Mass, the Parish had been set up appropriately for the liturgy. The liturgical objects, both of cloth and metal, had been laid our accordingly. Interestingly enough, our clergy role members has quite a ``welcome`` as can be seen in the layout of their vestments with name cards. It is lovely to see a parish give such organization and attention to our conduct of this liturgy. These might be small details, but every little bit helps, and shows the respect given to our clergy:

The Subdeacon's Vestments, for Mr. Bradley Black

 The Deacon's Vestments, For Fr. Steven Szakaczki

The Celebrant's Vestments with vesting prayers and biretta, for Fr. Jean-Marie Pilon

Close up shot of Fr. Pilon's card. 

In addition, the parish decided to provide ALL of the servers with Solemn Mass surplices, that had a diamond pattern woven in at the sleeves and hems. Further, a multitude of beautiful liturgical items lay awaiting to be used in the liturgy, reflecting the Gothic styled architecture and environment of St. Francis` tradition (albeit with some minor adjustments) as seen here in a couple of pictures:

There it is ... the Gothic style golden thurible. These are also the two tallish acolyte candles that I and the 2nd acolyte used in the Mass. 

Prior to Mass, the Chalice is fully prepared, the ciboria, and the cruets from a distance. 

Here's the cruets close up. Wow! Just look at that stunning detail! This must be brass or gold! They do not make cruets like this anymore!!! Interesting note: There are pegs that you put the cruets on to hold them steady. They have holes in their bottom for the pegs. 

The credence table prior to Mass, with a veiled Chalice.

These beautiful framed Gothic altar cards adorned the altar. This is a full set! Only the center card is pictured here. 

Does this scream majestic? Again I do not think they make altar Missals like this anymore. Even those you can purchase from FSSP/St. John Cantius are not as ornate as this missal. I think this one even has gold clasps on them. 

The altar before Mass Begins. Notice the Marian blue "accented" antepedium. White, however is the bulk of the colour. 

Prior to the Mass, the parish pastor of St. Francis, dressed in his Franciscan habit with a lacy surplice over his robes, explained to the congregation the difference between the modern Mass and the Extraordinary Form, in both English and Italian (e.g. direction of the priest as ``Liturgical East``, receiving communion ...) Dressed and vested, we then proceeded to do the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite for the 100th anniversary celebration of the parish.

Since the tabernacle was off to the left side of the body of the Church (personally, not in favour of this), we had to make a slight modification, where we genuflected to the tabernacle once we got out of the sanctuary to the left of the body. Afterwards, it was business as usual. During the Mass, all clergy and servers performed their roles reverently and respectfully, showing experience and devotion to the Holy Mass.

It was clear in certain parts (e.g. the Offertory chants) that a sacredness and an ``energy`` or "spiritual uplifting," to use crude modern terms for description, was ever-present during the EF liturgy. For me personally, that was one moment. Another that hit me was in the exit procession, when we all sung the closing hymn ``Immaculate Mary``, whereby at the chorus, congregation and others sang in unison in joyous commemoration of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Mother. It was purely beautiful and I felt a sense of joy and encouragement, ready to go out into the world post-Mass.

As per my usual reporting, what great tidbits of wisdom was I able to glean from the sermon, given by the celebrant, Fr. Pilon? I will recount what I could from the sermon, albeit I am paraphrasing and missing important linking ideas as well.

• This EF liturgy has many things happening visually, though we might not understand everything. 
• To accept or embrace what we are experiencing in the sacred liturgy, implies Faith. 
• Last year, it was deemed by then Pope Benedict XVI, that the 2013-2014 liturgical year would be the "Year of Faith" 
• Faith, allows us to believe in that which is a mystery or beyond full comprehension. 
• ...... (some linking points I've forgotten )......
• In this Liturgy, we celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We mistakenly might think it refers to the birth of Christ. It is actually the birth of Mary being conceived without sin. 
• Sin, while there is temptation, or influence, or our weaknesses, present, always involves our will to make a choice to do sin. 
• .... (some linking points) ...
• When we undertake studies in theology, one area of theology is that of "Speculative Theology." In this branch, we deal with items or concepts that are hard to prove with evidence, but we can use our existing knowledge of the faith or otherwise, to speculate on plausible parts of it. 
• We can look at then, Mary`s parents, St. Anne and St. Joachim. As parents of Mary, having such devout faith to our Lord, they would have desired that their daughter would be without sin or temptations in her life, imploring on the Will of God (or perhaps, for his graces???)
• In the throes of love in conceiving the Blessed Virgin Mary, their love would have been pure at the moment of conceiving, susceptible to God's graces and His Will. 
• As part of God's Will ... [here Fr. recounted a story of a sermon he gave to nuns in a crowd, habited traditional nuns ...] I uttered three latin words: potuit, voluit, fecit. When it came to Mary's Immaculate conception, He was able to, He wanted to, and He did it. This was referring to making Mary sinless as the Theotokos (God-bearer). 
• God so knew the value of Christ suffering for us on the Cross as the Word Made Flesh. Thus, he wanted the sinless woman's flesh, to be a part of his own, via Christ's birth. 
• .... (other linking points I forgot) ......
• We should follow, likewise in the obedience and devotion to our Lord, like that of our Blessed Mother, on this the Solemnity of her Immaculate Conception.

Once again, another beautiful Solemn Mass, alongside others held yesterday, was done in our Archdiocese of Toronto for this important Solemnity. 

Generally, while the congregation did have a fair share of more senior people, it was a age mosaic! I saw a number of families come for this mass, moms and dads with daughters/sons in tow, some teen, some children, others adult children. I also saw a few young adult men in the crowd on glance, plus old friends! Furthermore, it seemed that many in attendance were not the usual regulars, but St. Francis parishioners! Visually, I'd say that we had over 200 to close to 300 in attendance, maybe a little more. While the bodies were spread out a bit in the pews in the body of the Church, they reached back to the rear of the body of the Church!

The congregation also had the added aids of Latin-English and Latin-Italian translational booklets of the whole ordo of the Mass to help assist them in their prayer and worship. There were also brief descriptors of what was happening on the altar at parts, and cues for standing, sitting, and reverences. Here are snapshots of the beautiful booklet created by St. Francis of Assisi:

Afterwards, I got to speak to a few of those in attendance who were hanging around. They were joyful and happy, after coming away from what we experienced here this evening. One young couple with babe in tow, whose first EF this Mass was for them, described the event as "solemn," even saying it would be good to pass word of these Masses onto their Mother next time one happens! Hopefully they will scour the internet and find this blog, for future listings in our Archdiocese. 

Once again, another Mass, with the aid of St. Patrick's Gregorian Choir, was brought to fruition in the Archdiocese of Toronto. This ends their 2014 run of Masses. I was blessed and am thankful to have served in such a reverent liturgy, and look forward to the new year. I do hope we can return to St. Francis of Assisi. What a gem this parish is Little Italy (College St. Area)! Oh if only there was a parish with such beauty AND leadership in my area where I live. 

As a final note, I give a huge thank you to St. Francis of Assisi, its current pastor-ship, administration, and all those who helped to make this liturgy possible. I will never forget this, and hopefully, neither will all those who were able to experience this on a winter night. What a liturgically appropriate way to dive into the season of Advent, into the celebration of the Nativity of our Lord on Christmas Day. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel .....

Hope you have enjoyed this report. Due to the amount of photos I took, I will follow up and post the rest when I have time with a separate photo post. 

Pax Tibi Christi! Julian Barkin.  

Upcoming Latin Rite (Both OF and EF) Events in the Archdiocese of Toronto This Weekend AND Dec 8. Serving Help Still Desired!!!

Hello Everyone,

This post is going to highlight a few "LATIN" events that are happening in the Archdiocese of Toronto, this coming weekend of the 2nd Sunday in Advent in both forms of the Rite, and for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

1. Latin Novus Ordo Mass at St. James Catholic Church, Saturday Vigil Mass. 

Normally my promotion of Latin Masses is geared towards the Extraordinary Form/Tridentine Mass/1962. However, one should also consider equally beautiful opportunities in the Novus Ordo or Ordinary Form, or other rites that actually nourish the lay faithful properly.

While checking up on an offering for St. Patrick's Gregorian Choir, Immaculate Conception Solemn Latin Mass, I found this interesting gem on our Archdiocese of Toronto News and Events page of the website, which is being hosted by St. James Catholic Church in Toronto, ON:

December 6, (2014)– 5 p.m.
St. James Church
728 Annette St., Toronto

Latin Mass Revisited
Rediscover the beauty of the solemn Latin Mass in this modern Eucharistic celebration. We will be celebrating the Mass using the original Latin text of the Third Typical Edition of the Roman Missal (note: this is not the Tridentine form of the Mass).
Side-by-side Latin and English Missals will be provided for those attending. A truly uplifting experience that is both ancient and new, bridging past and present. For more information, contact St. James Church at st.james@sympatico.ca or call 416-767-6451.
_____     _____     _____     ______     _______    ______

• Location: St. James Roman Catholic Church
• Address: 728 Annette St., Toronto, Ontario, CAN
• Google Maps: https://plus.google.com/105912210603375556435/about?gl=ca&hl=en

This is incredible! I do not think this has happened since the Oratorians reconfigured their Mass schedule to add in a Missa Lecta, at the loss of their Sunday Latin Novus Ordo Mass.

Needless to say, I am in full support of the reform of the reform, as touted famously when Benedict XVI was Pope. This is clearly an example of the liturgy being molded to the original tenets of Vatican II.

I ask and implore you readers, to please attend for your weekly obligation (yes the vigil COUNTS in the Novus Ordo/post Vatican II), this Latin Novus Ordo taking place at St. James Catholic Church. If they garner great support, who knows, this might become a regular occurrence at the parish. They might even influence their brother priests and parishes to do something new to attract the youth of our Faith, and bring them (and others) closer to our Lord in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

In addition, I will be adding this to my listing of "Special Offerings" where my EF masses usually go.

Please attend! Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin.

2. Other Latin Masses for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Monday December 8, 2014

Well! This is a pleasant surprise in the Archdiocese of Toronto. When the faithful in other (arch)dioceses worldwide are begging and praying for Latin Masses, we are truly blessed to have FIVE offerings in the Extraordinary Form this Monday for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. One can view this poster, created by the Toronto Traditional Mass Society, for the listings of the 5 Masses.

Notes on the Masses:

• St. Lawrence the Martyr, and the Oratory`s 1130am Mass are part of their regular daily offerings on Monday. These masses are also, Low Masses (Missa Lecta). 
• The 6:00pm  Oratory offering is a special, Solemn (Missa Solemnis) level offering, done for this solemnity. This is NOT a normal/daily/weekly offering. 
• The St. Francis of Assisi offering, is being held for the 100th anniversary of S.F.O.A. 
• Assistance is being provided by the St. Patrick Gregorian Choir for the musical parts of the liturgy. 
• The serving is being provided by a team of servers consisting of representatives from St. Francis of Assisi Parish, St. Lawrence the Martyr Scarborough, and other non-EF parish affiliated Latin Mass servers to the St. Patrick's Gregorian Choir (e.g. me). 
• This offering is located closer to the central part of the city of Toronto/Archdiocese of Toronto, in the "Little Italy" neighbourhood, near College St.  
• Booklets of Latin to English, AND Latin to Italian translations of the order of the Mass and Propers, are being provided by the parish. 
• The St. Joseph's offering is in the West end of the city of/Archdiocese of Toronto. 
• While there is no written confirmation via the parish bulletin or on the Internet, it is possible that assistance is being provided for this liturgy by the Toronto Traditional Mass Society, both in the avenues of music for the liturgy and serving, as they annually (or more frequently in a given year), use St. Joseph's for their Latin Masses. 
• Might it also be said that they were first to promote this offering, therefore also providing additional evidence that they might be assisting with this Mass. It would be appreciated if this could be confirmed (in a charitable manner). 

3. Reminder: SOLEMN LATIN MASS WITH ASSISTANCE OF ST. PATRICK'S GREGORIAN CHOIR FOR DEC 8, 2014 7PM AT ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI, TORONTO. SERVING HELP STILL DESIRED!!!

May I remind you of this upcoming Solemn Latin Mass in the Extraordinary Form, I will be assisting in in the role of first Acolyte. The details are as follows below and will be updated in my Fall 2014 listings post:

Monday, December 8, 2014 - Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

St. Patrick's Gregorian Choir 

When: Monday December 8, 2014
Location? St, Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
Address?  72 Mansfield Ave. Toronto, ON
Start time? 7:00 pm
Organizer: St. Patrick's Gregorian Choir under Surinder S. Mundra
Primary Contact/Inquiries for Choir: 416 731 4485.
Parish Website: http://www.stfrancistoronto.org/sfoa_2/?lang=en
Parish Contact/Information: 416 536 8195.
Facebook event page:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1531558473750707/
Poster: 

English

Italiano

Bulletin insert: http://www.stfrancistoronto.org/sfoa_2/?page_id=48 [please see Nov 16, 23, OR 30 Bulletin for insert online.]

Front Page Nov 30, 2014

 Nov 30, 2014. Advertisement is in upper right corner. 

Also see the Archdiocese of Toronto website News and Events page under December 8, here: http://www.archtoronto.org/events_news/events.html

While we have been able to fill all the major serving roles required for the Solemn Latin Mass (Master of Ceremonies, acolytes, thurifer), we desire if possible to fill the minor roles of crucifer, boat bearer (optional), and torch bearers. You would be trained for these roles prior to the start of the Mass, by our veteran serving instructor/MC. These roles are NOT difficult to carry out.  

Should you be a Catholic adult male who practices their Catholic faith (a.k.a. attending Mass on Sunday/Saturday Vigil in a Rite of the Church,) or have young male children who would be interested, please message me IMMEDIATELY at torontotlmservers@gmail.com, or call the organizer of St. Patrick's Gregorian Choir, Surinder S. Mundra @ 416-731-4485. Please be advised that you would be responsible for transportation to and from the Church, and SHOULD be living in, or surrounding the Archdiocese of Toronto. 

Finally, allow me to give you little liturgical .... snipits, or previews as it were, of some of the physical elements of this beautiful architectural treasure of a church (St. Francis of Assisi,) you will get to experience for this liturgy .... hope you mouth will be watering ....

This is an ornate thurible and boat, one of the many liturgical items that thankfully the prior pastorship of St. Francis of Assisi chose not to remove or give away (or purchased at a lower price back then.) This likely will be what is used for the Liturgy next week. The thurible alone, H-76 in the DiCarlo catalogue, is $895 USD before tax were you to buy one new! The closest boat to the one here in the same catalogue, H-69, is $ 265! Thanks be to God they were retained at St. Francis.

These are a complete set of Solemn Latin Mass vestments (Celebrant, Deacon, and Subdeacon) in this drawer, with the Sub-deacon's tunicle shown here, easily identified by the one horizontal stripe on the back.  These vestments were sown in the 1930's by nuns, and have remained at the parish since! Such vestment work is hard to find in today's modern Church. 

A view of the parish from the front of the body. The choir loft above contains a massive organ. St. Patrick's choir members will be singing from there, and the organ will be used for Mass. 

Yes, that's right, lovely wooden confessional stalls that don't look lie living rooms. Traditional style, with the priest's area being the center partition, and pentinents enter and kneel down in the left and right sides. 

PAX TIBI CHRISTI! Julian Barkin.
 

More Info on that Sung Low Mass Stuff

Hello Everyone,

When I did my report for St. Patrick's Gregorian Choir's recent Christ the King Low Mass with proper liturgical music within the Liturgy, I had mentioned the amount of servers used in our Mass. I had put a note in about a certain phrase here, knowing that some Pharisees would have the equivalent of a liturgical brain hemmorhage at the sight of this:

*  I have done this before, at St. Lawrence the Martyr for either a Requiem Mass or Christmas 2012. While excessive amounts of servers are not appropriate, I do not know of any rubric or outdated liturgical law that says 3 servers at a Low Mass is unacceptable, or violates the licitness or validity of the Holy Mass. Do your research before you contest this fact and have a Fr. Z speckled-filled nutty and the combox filter is on with my blog rules intact.

This note was intentional, because, there are sick and sour people, a sizable minority (NOT the majority) who are part of the Roman Rite attending these Latin Masses, worldwide, including in my Archdiocese. This sizable minority, having obsessive-compulsive tendencies about the liturgical rules and regulations of the Latin Mass and their Faith and general, get angry and go about complaining and slandering people when something isn't done exactly as it is on page CXXIII of ' the Latin Mass Ultimate Rubrical Guide for All Time by Fr. Fancy Pants Lace-Lover in 1955. This is not a real book, but I hope you got a chuckle out of it, and my point.

On a positive note, this tends less to be those of my generation (Gen Y-ers and Millenials) and younger. The youth do not bear these grudges as much, or not at all.

While yes, some Pharisees did have a liturgical brain hemorrhage on that, the main factor of the hemorrhage was NOT necessarily having 3 servers at a Low Mass. The main cause was that the SPGC Mass was a "Sung Low Mass".

Last week, a blogger who is a self-appointed (read, non-official in terms of Church/Archdiocesan authority and/or NOT a part of the Magisterium,) leader of a Latin Mass community in the Archdiocese of Toronto, decided to chime up on the question of whether a Low Mass can be "sung." In loathing on his personal blog he claims in his years of experience, there is NO existence of a sung low Mass, and chose on the blog of his Latin Mass community to "educate" (read: gloat about to) wayward readers and members of his society, a more detailed explanation using part of what was a post not archived anywhere (read: publicly viewable under the blog archives with the date of December 1, 2013). Not to mention an insult was directed to myself and my serving allies about "educating" us on things dealing with the EF. Thanks, O exalted one. (and no, I am NOT referring to YOU as a Christ figure in a positive manner.)

However, in communication with other trusted allies in the Latin Mass circles I run with over this turn of events, one of them yielded to me an interesting piece of electronically-recorded literature in the form of a pdf. file. Upon searching where this came from, I found out this is actually a part of an old issue of a journal that was once kept by the Church Music Association of America. One may view their site, as well as archived issues of their journals here:
http://musicasacra.com/journal/caecilia/.

I think that the Chant Cafe forums online AND Fr. Zuhlsdorf have mentioned this association. Regardless, when it comes to liturgical music, this site is no promoter of John Michael Talbot and other Praise and Worship artists! This is a good, balanced, orthodox musicians' association who strives to promote liturgical music in TRUE accordance with Vatican II, while respecting that of our liturgical tradition in the Roman Rite.

The PDF file is a Question and Answer section of an issue of the "Caecilia" from September 1937, which is WAY before any changes in the 20th century for the Latin Mass. One may read the article here: http://media.musicasacra.com/publications/caecilia/1937_09_caecilia.pdf
on pages 363-364. The page was headed by a "Very Reverend Gregory Hugle, O.S.B" (The Order of St. Benedict). I invite you to read it in full for yourself, but I will summarize the notes of the article in point form:

• At a Low Mass, parts mentioned in Latin CAN BE SUNG, though the Gloria intonation should be sung by the choir. 
• In the Latin Mass/EF, the parts in Latin (e.g. prayers, Priest parts, not necessarily the hymns/chants in the traditional "4 part sandwich" areas) are NOT to be sung in the vernacular. 
• Any parts of the Propers (e.g. Introit, Gradual, Alleluia, Offertory, Communion) CAN be sung in Latin 
• In General, at the Low Mass in the EF, 
• The people or Choir CAN sing (w/the Bishop's permission) prayers (general hymns of adoration, Faith, Love, etc.) or hymns composed in the vernacular in honor of the Saint or Mystery celebrated on that day. 
• Hymns that are in the Latin (e.g. the Te Deum, Tantum Ergo) are NOT to be sung in the vernacular
• A solemn entrance procession can be done during the Introit, by means of Vatican Graduale provision, With that procession, one CAN sing the antiphonal part of the Introit (part with repeats), after the Psalm verse, after the Gloria Patri, and after the Sicut erat. 
• For sacred hymns (not "pilgrim songs'), multiple stanzas can be sung to completion of the hymn, with a basis in reasoning being docrtinal, that a hymn sets forth the Catholic doctrine, appeals to the human heart and colcludes with appropriate petitions. It's a prayer that should be sung in it's entirety.  

So needless to say, just one person's viewpoint, particularly without consultation of any other documents outside of major rubric books, nor that of any current priest with sound knowledge of the liturgy (of which, we are just beginning to rediscover its rules, its practice, and even back then, appears to have guideline rules with acceptable, legal deviations or allowance for local customs, from the written text on the page,) fully answers the questions posed. Taking such an attitude in writing and in person, makes assumptions of the answer when it possibly, might only be partial, or wrong. 

People can have false notions of how things should (not absolutely HAVE TO) be done regarding the Extraordinary Form liturgy. If anything, reading this article has taught me that contrary to one blogger's take on the liturgical question, the Low Mass DOES NOT have to be "quiet." 

Might I also add it a shame that some laity, leaders, organizers, etc. who take part in the EF have a rigid understanding or preference of the EF liturgy, including what should happen at each level of the Mass. Such an attitude detracts from the mystical experience of the Mass of All Time, and does not enhance the spiritual richness of such an experience. If anything, such attitudes betray the Mind of the Church, leads one to a cold perspective of their own religion (and projects it to others in contact with them), and might be just the tip of the iceberg, a slippery slope that leads to further hardening of their "hearts," maybe even further damaging things to their soul. This of course, is if attitudes also cross over to their doctrinal/theological stance on items in the Church. 

As my final note, while this posting mainly pertains to the choir aspects of the EF liturgy, this can also stretch in a similar approach as it can relate to serving the Latin Mass. Not everything is "set in stone" on the page as it were, that each server does only X, Y, and Z at each Mass level, and cannot deviate from the rubrics, lest it be a spiritual crime to our Lord. 

In the end, will Jesus judge us at the time our deaths in an unfavourable light, because some rubric on a page wasn`t followed to exact proportions? Or because one extra server was added to a Latin Low Mass, or the server had to so something outside their role in necessity or to assist another server (e.g. the MC?) Does this make the Mass INVALID and thus Christ is not Consecrated in the Sacred Species??? I am sure you can answer these questions, fair readers. Hope this was a bit of food for thought for you. 

Pax, Julian. 

We Should Support ALL Latin Mass Initiatives in the Archdiocese of Toronto, Not Limit Ourselves to One!

Hello Everyone,

As a Latin Mass server in some capacity in the Archdiocese of Toronto, pastored under the wise and gracious leadership of His Eminence, Cardinal Thomas Collins, I ask for a moment of your time in reading this post. I ask you to listen, especially if you attend or assist in the Latin Masses in some capacity, but also, even if you do not attend or go occasionally, or are just passing by here reading something interesting. Also allow me to speak firmly on something that has been occuring in person in our communities and online in the Catholic Blogosphere.

First and foremost, we should be grateful for the spiritual treasures that we have here in the Archdiocese of Toronto, of which some are:

• Churches that still retain some or most of their pre-Vatican II architecture, visual signs that point towards our way to Heaven. 
• For world standards today, in Catholic seminaries, we have a firm and solid seminary in St. Augustine`s, who besides schooling future priests, also extend such quality of theological and pastoral instruction to lay persons seeking post-secondary degrees in theology, divinity, philosophy, etc.You will get the most solid and orthodox Catholic teaching there compared to other theology schools in Toronto.

However, of all the ``treasures`` our archdiocese boasts under ++Collins` leadership, we have many thanks and blessings to offer our Lord, that in the "core"/major part of this diocese, (including Pickering,) we have 5 ongoing parishes, programs, and/or organizations that are offering or organizing Masses in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, a.k.a. the Tridentine Mass, the 1962 Mass, the Mass of St. John XXIII. These groups/parishes who have offerings are as follows:

• St. Patrick's Gregorian Choir (Since 2006)
• Toronto Traditional Mass Society (Some minor activity pre-2010, really increased in 2011 onward)
• St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church (Since the 1988 Ecclesia Dei indult, *Oratorian Parish)
• Holy Family Church Parkdale, Toronto (*Oratorian Parish)
• St. Lawrence the Martyr Catholic Church, Scarborough, ON (Daily since 2011)
• St. Issac Jogues Catholic Church, Pickering, ON (Monthly since 2010's ???)

* Counted as one parish. The Oratorians run both parishes in Toronto.

Brifely, what does this sacred treasure in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite offer to all involved:

• The "direction" of the Mass in it's entirety, as it were, could be stated to be "vertical", that is God centered. 
• Major tenets and principles of our Faith, are expressed in a firm and direct fashion, and not hid behind confusing words. 
• Respects of Tradition and patrimony of the Church that all Catholics deserve to be given by Holy Mother Church. 
• Of EF Mass saying priests: They are almost always holy and pious men in the Mass, and outside of it, and take their roles seriously. They take this praxis into the Ordinary Form (vernacular/Mass of Paul VI) when they say these Masses. 
• The homiletics are clear, firm, and to the point! NO theatrics, or dumbing down" of the meaning of Scripture passages or Feast/Solemnity and NO "Jesus Love Everyone" garbage. 
• A liturgy that is synchronized, orderly, and attuned to assist the lay faithful in the pews to orient themselves in deep prayer and worship of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Sacrifice of the mass. 
• When the choir's Gregorian Chants and music, the incense, and other physical signs are present, it plays a part in creating an air of transcendence, symbolism, mystery, etc. that the people are actually seeking when they want to be "fed" by their Catholic liturgies. Just ask Bill Murray, the famous actor. HE AGREES!

Here in Toronto we are blessed to have this many offerings when worldwide in the Church, other dioceses' clergy, laity, and others spit upon and prevent even one Latin Mass to happen since Vatican II. Some prelates have even BANNED illegally all Latin Mass activities, despite Summorum Pontificum and Ecclesiae Unitatem.

When we have so many programs, it is honestly disgusting to see such division with regard to some of the activities surrounding the Latin Mass. Considering the focus of the current pontificate of Pope Francis, (read: Not Liturgy!) why then are we all giving credence to such puerile behaviour?

What behaviours do I mean?

• Certain groups establishing superiority over another, and making grandiose claims without acknowledging those of the others. 
• Reports by said groups of "violations" of the liturgy and protocol in carrying out the EF Mass. 
•  I include in this also attendees/adherents of specific parishes and groups who parrot the disparaging remarks of their parish's or group's leadership, and only "root for the home team" because they are superior or "do the liurgy better," etc.  
• Now, granted I do highlight other groups and parishes more than some, but at least I put all the special offerings in one page every 4 months. Those parishes/groups also do not have the web coverage that others do, with multiple bloggers and "Trad" allies helping them out. 
• The above also refers to the parishes too, including the laity in those parishes with regular offerings. When you choose to close yourself off to your own little community, you uphold the stereotypes our Holy Father is throwing out as of late: "pickled-face pepper" people, "Neo-pelagians", etc. 
• You also insult the other people that your parish priest works with, or whom have supported your parish in past, be it by Mass attendance, donations, altar serving, or putting on Masses for you. 
• Preferring only one level of the Mass, such as the Missa Lecta/The "Quiet Mass" and shunning others. 
• Insulting other Catholics who don't "fit the Traddie Profile"
• e.g. Lashing out at young women who wear pants. The FSSP do NOT enforce skirts on their women, so neither does SPGC. This old canard needs to stay dead. 
• e.g. Insulting women with Theology/divinity degrees, accusing them of stealing church jobs from men!
• Online blogging of a venomous sort. E.g. Last Advent, a man of a supporting blog for a particular Latin Mass group, visited St. Casimir parish in Toronto. The witness (likely a male,) recounted their experience, by calling a little female altar server a "cross dresser", This has a psychologically vile connotation attached to it. Calumny! 
• Slandering and Calumniating other priests and Latin Mass parishes/organizations who do not follow every single rubric and rule for the EF that exists! 

When you just stick to one group (not due to harassment and ostracism), and exhibit these behaviours online and in person, you prevent others from knowing about the Latin Mass, and from exploring it further and even going to the daily parish masses. You also show us to be joyless sad sacks who want to enforce liturgy and religion on people, including Catholics! You drive people away from Catholicism and the Latin Mass and act contrary to the will of the Holy Father, and Holy Mother Church. This is far from the Truth about Traditional Catholics and the Latin Mass. News flash: Jesus criticized the Pharisees A LOT! Read your Gospels if you don't believe me. 

What if the other group's Latin Mass, is their starting point, and they come to you cause they found out your Mass too? Then they start to go to all of them! You then have introduced a new person, in your charity, to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, that will send them on a life changing journey.

Not to mention, our Archdiocesan superior, +Collins,  is not fond of the above behaviours, especially the `cliquing,` and has taught us that this is a barrier to true discipleship wouth the Church and Christ. 

• (13:00 - 14:40): "... There's no kind of cookie cutter [mold] for discipleship ... The Catholic Church is a bunch of people, it is not a bunch of the pure. The trouble in the Church has been called by the "pure Catholics" who sort of find themselves a little to high for the rest of them and go off and form a sect or their own little special thing. No No! ... We're not a sect, we are the Universal Church...."

To all of you, the Latin Mass can only continue in our Archdiocese, and elsewhere in the world, IF YOU STOP THESE UN-CATHOLIC AND VICE-RIDDEN BEHAVIOURS. You only strengthen the Devil's grip on the world, and further prove the false stereotypes of all Latin Mass Catholics.

Any non-Latin Massers reading this, be bold and courageous in your lives! Do not be afraid to charitably, fraternally or sororally correct your wayward siblings in Christ exhibiting this behaviour. Should they not be pliable to such words of wisdom, do not be afraid to bring this up with their pastor, their other friends, even if needed, the Archdiocese of Toronto. There is no room for this behaviour. None.

Do not forget, that we are in the midst of the the mission of the New Evangelization? The Latin Mass IS part of that! It is part of the whole package to re-catechize the faithful via the liturgy! Lex orandi, Lex Credendi!

We all should be attending each other's masses! Fill those pews up! Put as much money into those collections when we visit a parish or use it for the Latin Mass! Just imagine the financial impact it would have on that parish, and even, the Office of the Archdiocese of Toronto!

In fact, let me be the first to initiate this trend that I hope will become a "pay it forward." I invite all of you, past association, present, and even those who view me as your enemy, to attend an upcoming Latin Mass! Invite a friend and/or family member. Why even invite someone you normally don't associate with in Latin Mass circles! Here are the regular listings:
http://torontotlmserving.blogspot.ca/p/known-latin-mass-listings-in.html.

As for special listings, you can visit this page which is until December 31, 2014: http://torontotlmserving.blogspot.ca/2014/08/fall-2014-special-offerings-for-latin.html. If you cannot make the Novus Ordo Latin Mass listed on December 6, then you are all free and welcome to join myself and the St. Pat's Gregorian Choir on the evening of December 8 in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Help St. Francis celebrate their 100th anniversary! See the 2nd link above for details. Hopefully Toronto Traditional Mass Society will have one more Mass too before year's end that we all can go to.

So everyone, show some cheer towards one another, support, not isolate one's self and others in the Latin Mass, and start showing one another and others, how the Traditional Catholic Faith gets put into action. 

It does not spread with name-calling, ostracism, isolation and/or ignorance, and liturgical policing. It happens with respect, fortitude, temperance, and practical acts combined with the liturgical, for as in James 2, "faith without works is dead." Advent season is definitely a good time to start.

Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin.

Some Aesop's Fables for Whited Sepulchres

Some Aesop's Fables from a friend of mine. Pax, Julian.

The Eagle, the Jackdaw and the Shepherd
An eagle, dropping suddenly from a high rock, carried off a lamb. A jackdaw saw this, was smitten by a sense of rivalry and determined to do the same. So, with a great deal of noise, he pounced upon a ram. But his claws merely got caught in the thick ringlets of the lamb’s fleece, and no matter how frantically he flapped his wings, he was unable to get free and take flight.

Finally, the shepherd bestirred himself, hurried up to the jackdaw and got hold of him.  He clipped the end of his wings and, when evening fell, he carried him back for his children. The children wanted to know what sort of bird this was.

So the shepherd replied, “As far as I can see, it’s a jackdaw, but it would like to think it’s an eagle!”

Source: http://mythfolklore.net/aesopica/townsend/250.htm

The Vain Crow

A crow, as vain and conceited as only a crow can be, picked up the feathers that some peacocks had shed and stuck them among his own. Then he scoffed at his old companions and joined a flock of beautiful peacocks. After introducing himself with great self-confidence, the crow was immediately recognized for the pretender he was, and the peacocks stripped him of the borrowed plumes. Moreover, they battered him with their beaks and sent him about his business.

The unlucky crow, sorely punished and deeply regretful, rejoined his former companions and wanted to mix with them again as if nothing had happened.  But they recalled the airs he had assumed and drove him from their flock.

At the same time, one of the crows whom he had recently snubbed gave him a short lecture: “Had you been satisfied with your own feathers, you would have escaped the punishment of your betters and also the contempt of your equals.”

Source: http://mindflight.me/aesops-fables-the-vain-crow-2/