When Radicals Misrepresenting Traditionalism (RMTs) Lose Their Minds: COVID-19 Edition

Hello Everyone,

I’m taking time out of my busy schedule (including being an essential Full Time worker!) to have to call out some unfortunate idiocy which is being peddled out by Radicals Misrepresenting Traditonalists (RMTs,) and insults that have been (maybe) indirectly, but more likely directly, via commentary, launched on another blog I won’t name, against my friends in the Latin Mass and I. I refuse to name the blog as it is still a platform featuring Radical Traditonalist authors, and/or are friends/allies to those RMTs that bitterly hate us so.

Lauding a bishop that opened his churches in his diocese to public Mass? Now? When COVID-19 has NOT DECLINED WORLDWIDE!

My first, partial disappointment is due to a Facebook post on my feed from an acquaintance, whom is cheering on a bishop in the United States in the diocese of Las Cruces, New Mexico, Bishop Baldacchino, (not a Catholic liturgy joke!) who is allowing the Mass to be held once again and opening his parishes' doors. My acquaintance, is showering this bishop with much praise for his actions. This person is not one of my close friends, however they are heavily involved in the Latin Mass community close to where they live. The very fact they are promoting this shows a lemming-like following to the RMT party line, where spiritual selfishness and Novus Ordo Church bashing (via its hierarchy) is de rigeur.

Now before you accuse me of not thinking it through, I get that in the States (and also in Canada) there is SOME variance, to approaches to the tackling of the COVID-19, as in Canada, health falls under provincial governance, but at least here most provinces are taking cues from the Federal government and its health experts. These experts are monitoring the situation and communicate with each provincial premier. In addition the Federal officer of Health, Dr. Theresa Tam, has become the literal "face" of this crisis in Canada, doing media briefings and public service announcements in various forms of media. In the States, there is even MORE variability in terms of governance as States in general have even more authority/power to act independently of the Federal government under Trump, which may be a good thing as he has been flippantly ignorant and bullying as a world leader in this crisis.

In my province of Ontario, the issuance is that now, no more than 5 people (excluding large families in a single residence) can be present together, to limit the spread of the virus. Break such rules and the law can mettle out stiff penalties to individuals or businesses/owners of properties who defy medical orders or emergency laws. This is virtually zero-tolerance, even going as low as fining a father $880 CDN who let his kids rollerblade in a public park. Now in the States, it is highly possible individual states are varied as to the numerical limit of people that can congregate together. This also makes sense geographically as more rural areas have a decreased chance of spreading the virus, vs densely populated states/cities. Also some states depending on politics and the size or presence of police forces, may be regulating heavily, or willfully ignoring those who defy such laws.

In terms of New Mexico, I found the following briefings and legal orders on the state government's website as follows: 1) As of Mar 16, 2020, (https://cv.nmhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/031620-DOH-PHO-r.pdf) it did limit gatherings to under 100 people. 2) HOWEVER, as of March 24, 2020, this was issued and additional restrictions were imposed (https://cv.nmhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/SignedPHO03-24-2019.pdf) INCLUDING the closing of non-essential businesses, workplaces, etc. Guess what? Religious places of worship DO NOT QUALIFY as an essential service under current civil laws. Now, yes the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 2210 does merit civil disobedience when authorities are truly unjust, but, are we in extreme times of persecution as I will give examples further on? NO! If the virus declines in future will our worship spaces open again? Yes. Finally, the Church ALWAYS has Her mind in interpretation of things and approaches to things of finite nature with the most mercy, including human affairs, and when action must be taken, it is only in extreme circumstances were no other moral/ethical possibility exists.

In spite of that, I would say that this bishop is acting imprudent and anyone championing his actions is to the spiritual and medical detriment of others! Further this bishop is encouraging his priests to defy the medical/civil orders of the state of New Mexico. Does he want the Church to be fined further, and possibly, his priests jailed!!!??? Even in a crisis these whitewashed sepulchres of Pharisees can only think about their spiritual needs and their interpretation of the laws! People who are doing such measures without OBJECTIVE, FACT/MEDICAL based evidence or permission, AND its ardent supporters, are ill in spirit, and need serious examination of Conscience (and a confession, for blatant disregard of life, when we can meet in person w/priests in the confessional again!)

Firstly, what kind of message are you sending to the holy Priests in service the Church by lauding this bishop’s actions? You basically are asking priests to risk their lives needlessly to give us the Sacraments/give into YOUR selfish-spiritual needs. Are we in any kind of crisis scenario or persecution akin to Japan in the latter half of the 2nd millennium, for 200+ years having no priests? Or the Christeros war in the early 1900’s in Mexico were all Catholics were under threat of execution? NO! These are not scenarios where martyrdom is a necessity or a calling for the Church. We still have the freedom to practice religion in most countries in the world. What is happening is a necessary, social/medical practice to STOP needless, unnecessary deaths from happening in the community and the Church at large. Now, you will probably accuse me of being spiritually stupid or not taking the spiritual crisis in the Church with seriousness.

Do you think I would be having a blog devoted to the Latin Mass and/or serving in some capacity (and now, thanks to virtual practice, learning how to sing/read Gregorian chant from my good friends of St. Patrick's Gregorian Choir) if I didn't care? Absolutely not! Yes there is a lot going on spiritually and morally that is sick within Her bosom, but not is not the time to act stupidly and put others at risk!

Secondly, do you think that even if a priest limited his house of worship to a handful of people, he and everyone wore at least surgical masks (newsflash: they are not highly effective for AIRBORNE contaminants. "Gold standard" protection belongs to N95 masks which protects against 95% of airborne particles/contaminants 300 microns and under with Coronavirus being 170 nm (0.17 micrometers,)) and stood the required 6 ft/ 2m apart from each other there is NOT the possibility of still getting infected with COVID-19? Your thinking is wrong. The virus is contact/droplet spreadable. All it takes, potentially, is for one to be in the same airspace close to a person who sneezes or coughs, even talks as spit particles a.k.a “droplets” not visible to the naked eye, and you can get the virus via contact, or the droplets going into your un-protected eyes. I can tell you that the Church is NOT supplying N95s and/or face-shields to all its clergy. Single-person doorways, hallways, bathrooms, and small narthexes also come to mind here. Let it be also stated, not everyone is masking themselves, or has access/capability to make homemade masks. Also, humans are prone to touching themselves, even subconsciously. All it takes is father to have touched his contaminated mask surface (or yourself) before taking it off, then touch his/your naked skin or rub your eyes and voila! ILLNESS!

While we are at it, what if a homeless person wanders off the street and in their stupor (because in Ontario, government foolishly let LCBO stores still run for the alcohol addicts,) or disregard, parks himself on one of the pews or goes to other areas of the parish with NO protection, and is ASYMPTOMATIC but carrying COVID-19, yet to break out into fever, sweats, etc.? Unless Fr and his custodial staff disinfect EVERY public area after each Mass thoroughly after all people leave, you are creating a potential ground of illness for Father and his parishioners! Speaking of that homeless person, or asymptomatic carriers, if they touch a surface and leave the virus on them, according to this screen graphic, the virus can still linger on certain surfaces, up to 3 days! (source: https://www.fox17online.com/news/coronavirus/how-long-does-a-coronavirus-live-on-common-surfaces)

Most of our parishes, sadly, aren't decorated anymore with materials such as high quality metals, including brass, which is the most viral-repulsive material giving the virus a mere 4 hrs to live before it is inactive or molecularly deteriorates. Common materials persist (with credit to the false "spirit" of Vatican II liturgical "wreck-o-vation"), such as wood, drywall/plaster, concrete, etc, ALL having longer lifespans for the virus over brass. If you look at this chart, the worst offenders are, GASP! PAPER AND WOOD AT 4-5 days! Even if many pews are lacquered, many churches' pews are worn down or NOT lacquered at all. All it takes is for poor Father to run his hands along that surface, itch his nose or breath near his contaminated hand, and potentially that's another one of Christ's Alter Christi DEAD! One less person who can administer the Sacraments.

Finally, do you think that you are safer in the community, or a hospital with a COVID-19 test center? If you guessed the community, you are WRONG! I can vouch for this personally as I work in a health care career. While I will NOT disclose my workplace as I have in past been harassed and/or threatened with lawsuit by one of my enemies (through my then, pastor of my parish at the time,) I will say that I am more safer than the general population. See here, for example, of a grocery store chain where a particular store was hit TWICE with COVID-19 positive workers, resulting in shutdown of the store, and the 2nd time two stores had to be shut down in the area. As for my workplace, we screen everyone, employee or patient, at both entrances, and send them to the COVID-19 assessment centre or nearby emergency room (ER) for ANY noted symptom to get swabs of their sinuses for PCR testing of COVID-19.  Other clinics/areas are pre-screening patients and any symptom means self-isolation/re-booking appointments at least 2 weeks later. Also we have access to a supply of at least one mask per employee per day, hand sanitizer, medical gloves, and anti-virus/virucidal sanitization wipes of MEDICAL GRADE. Considering even one of those items is hard to access as the general population and of short supply, how safe do you think you are outside of essential service or medical workplaces?

So, after all that, if one has ANY rational or logical ability to think, is it at all sane or reasonable for a bishop such as +Baldacchino to open their parishes and allow gatherings of even a few select people, and create a potential scenario for disaster, such as our nursing homes? What if in your diocese, your bishop opened the churches before COVID-19 was declared reduced or null, and your self and/or your young childen, and/or your grandparents got sick because they went to Mass, even with the utmost precaution? Any usual person save those with a euthanasia mindset would likely EXPLODE at the bishop and the Catholic Church for allowing your kid/your relative to die and expose them to the Virus. Anyone up for a damages lawsuit akin to those for sexual abuse scandals that would close parishes/dioceses due to financial bankruptcy? Do YOU even care if others die from the Virus?

Oh, and for you young RMTs of 20-40 years old, don't think the virus can NOT kill you at your age. IT CAN! If you are lucky enough to have a pre-disposition in your immune system you don't know about, or it compounds onto a medical condition you didn't know, or you just get "overwhelmed" due to its symptoms and your body shuts down, IT CAN KILL YOU! Youth is NOT a guarantee of survival. This virus discriminates against no-one and doesn't care if you can chant the Dies Irae in perfect tone at Solemn requiem Latin Masses, or blog on the Internet.

Also, should you be fortunate enough to be in "good health," this virus can still place you in an intensive care/inpatient ward in a hospital for MORE THAN 14 DAYS! Here is a young 28 year old male athlete, who was training for the 2020 Olympics as a martial artist in Karate. This 4 minute video gives you just some snapshots what his daily life was like in the hospital after contracting COVID-19. Yes you can say, "He is doing strenuous exercise in the video" but that's not the point! The point is even healthy members of the population can end up in a hospital, and this young man is BLESSED because he is in peak condition physically as an athlete, which helped him not be in worse shape health wise, even allowing him to do some exercise physically. Most men and women are NOT professional athletes in the Church. Should a regular member like yourself of the population get sick, I can say with confidence you would likely NOT be doing any physical activity on the floor of your patient room. You'd likely be a lot worse off than him.

Detraction/Slander of My friends of St. Patrick's Gregorian Choir and likely, I again ....

As for my second point of contention, it is truly sad that even in this time of crisis, armchair theologians/RMTs with keyboards seem to still want to personally attack, or detract from the characters of my allies and I in the Latin Mass community, with smug superiority in their hearts. Those people should follow the maxim, "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all."
Personally I do keep a watch on those who attack us, and/or my allies, for the sake of monitoring behavior, as well as documentation should things come down to ecclesial/legal matters. Also, their behaviors are the very reason that the Latin Mass has reached stalling points in our Archdiocese of Toronto to grow and proliferate beyond its initial flourish post-Summorum Pontificum in the last decade.

On a local blog, where the main bloggers are involved partially, or are, allies/friends to those who hate and revile St. Patrick's Gregorian Choir (SPGC) and I, one of them decided to dig deep into their spiritual hate bin and pull out old gripes about certain behaviours. What did one blogger decide to take a stab at us with? First the listing of clericals and/or main persons in the liturgy including name of the choir in promotional posters or the liturgical booklets printed for Masses. Second, to take a stab at altar servers who pose in front of altars. Not only did they do so, they did it as a comment, not naming any party in particular. Talk about cowardice. They even had the gall to name it part of "liturgical tourism."

Regardless of not naming parties, the Internet IS a public forum in Canada. I have freedom of speech to offer criticism, and so I choose, and to defend my friends and I whose names and character are still attacked by these misguided souls to this day.

On the naming of ministers and the choir, first of all, it is appropriate to indicate whether a Mass is being held by the parish itself/organized by the parish and/or pastor itself, or being done by outside parties. It is only right to credit the right people for organizing these liturgies and all the hard work placed into it. It would be foolish to lead on innocent laity into a false assumption that parish x or Father Y is "Traditional" and responsible for the Mass, only for said Traditionalist to be mistaken and shocked when said parish and choir are regular Novus Ordo. It is appropriate to let people know who is doing what so they know where to go/which Father to go to for their spiritual Latin Mass needs.

Further, do not the clergy, choirs, and even altar servers, who bravely allow the EF to happen in this spiritual climate of anti-Traditonalism/anti-Latin Mass deserve respect and even, gasp, WANT people to come to the EF offerings? It also works both ways. If we cannot name ourselves or our clergy, neither can this blogger's allies/friends whom they support. If we cannot make ourselves known, neither can they. Also, when the Latin Mass loses avenues of promotion, all parties in the Church loses people who would have otherwise grown deeper in their Catholic Faith and maybe been SAVED via the Latin Mass. Funny, I thought Trads, even RMTs, wanted souls to become full blown Traddies attending the EF? Guess I was wrong. While the naming of parties is a small nit picky detail, it does go in-part in promoting the EF.

Oh, and SPGC only stopped because one or more of the blogger's friends/allies/fanboys and/or fangirls harassed the choirmaster by email about it. The blogger might have not "entered the scene" at that time, but regardless SPGC knows who the main culprits are. That means bullying forced them into it, and BULLYING IS A SIN! Do you think they honestly stopped that for anyone’s good or by someone’s logic and reason, secular or spiritually? NO! It was a silencing tactic.

Further, the blogger's logic is faulty, because SPGC does these Masses in diocesan parishes, with the approval of, and in some cases such as St. Mary's Polish Church (Davenport,) the actual participation of, its clergy who DO the Latin Masses, in order to do said offerings of the Mass. While not all these Masses are at their usual time slots, these have been according to the EF calendar of the Latin Rite. They are not "Extra." Further, is it not a general principle that is touted in "Trad-land," that the exemplar of the Latin Mass is the Pontifical Latin Mass, and that whenever possible for MAJOR EF feasts, the highest level of feast is done so as to follow said example?

As a final kicker, this critic is guilty of violating his own words. There is actual photographic evidence on the Internet that they HAVE participated in "Liturgical tourism" at the same parish mentioned above in an "extra" offering. See below:

(Taken from the twitter account of his own blog which I will not name, posted from a Mass for the Ascension done May 10, 2018. Face blackened out, as well as the RMT blog, out of charity)

This offering was a Missa Canata, and did gain the assistance of, and internet promotion by, a lay-led organization, or at least it's president and choirmaster, in order to hold the level of the Missa Cantata. To go to extremes of his logic of avoiding "liturgical tourism," it should have not been held because it wasn't at a normal Mass time, or made at the level of a Missa Lecta. Should music have been done, someone from the parish should have been cantor and organist. There is NOT a soul to the best of my knowledge at that parish who CAN do the EF for such a Mass. I guess the Mass shouldn't have been anything more than a music-less Missa Lecta then or not held at all ... too much grand-standing and liturgical pomp then. Maybe we should just settle for the Novus Ordo too while we are at it ...

Based on my arguments above, I dare the blogger to call his close friends' efforts and those priests who have been assisting SPGC and other efforts and parishes, MUTUALLY, be it in past or in present, guilty of such sins of “liturgical tourism” and let me know their replies in writing.

Now to address their second insult. As for the altar servers posing in front of altars for a photo? That hasn’t happened in years! Long before this critic discovered the Latin Mass, I recall when +Boissineau was homilist at a Solemn Mass of approx 500 People was held on Canada Day 2011, organized by SPGC, a picture was taken of the choir and other servers who have been in the “scene” longer than I, (back before when everyone helped each other in the Archdiocese no matter who organized the EF,) who are likely some of this blogger’s current allies/friends, or were at this time, and did so. Despite that a number of the servers from that Mass have reduced or no no longer serve the EF, a picture was taken of the combined clergy, choir members, and servers for that Mass.

However, it is also possible this blogger is more likely pointing the finger at me, or including me anyways. My profile pic on Google+/Blogger is me in front of the altar at St Patrick’s Toronto in 2011, after my first EF Mass, when I was a torchbearer and the servers were plentiful. It was a memory for myself and I did it alone outside of anyone else involved in that Mass:

Yep, that's me, the "Liturgical tourist" ha ha ha!

I haven’t taken a photo in front of a parish altar in years to my best recollection. In addition, the critic has a personal beef with me, since I criticized them a few years ago in a reflection piece on my blog, as symptomatic of a new threat to the EF: Young people with a Radical Traditionalist (read: anti-Novus ordo Church and anti-Francis) mentality, who were NOT the ages of their friends/allies who experienced spiritual/liturgical wreck-o-vation or a truly harmful experience at the hand of a leader in the institutional church, laity or clergy.

So I am not surprised I am being at least indirectly insulted with “word daggers” despite my name not mentioned but lumped with SPGC, or at its worst being directly stabbed with a “literary broadsword” over a simple picture. A truly sad use of one's time in this social/spiritual isolation.

Summary

What both examples of behaviour demonstrates is the following:

- these RMTs have blatant disregard for your physical well-being to the extent of their OWN personal spiritual “well-being” (if it can be said to be such, in the most “charitable” terms,) as well as that of our clergy, most of whom are the primary targets by age and overall health for the COVID-19 virus. They abandon all forethought, logic, and scientific/biological evidence or downplay it cause they want their Masses and Sacraments now!

- In RMT world, no one is immune from the least senior altar server to clergy for perceived spiritual/liturgical violations. If you aren’t doing the EF to their standards you are unfit to even be a Traditonalist, which is implied even if not written or spoken directly to you.

- WHY, STILL, the Latin Mass is NOT thriving in dioceses, and/or why clergy including bishops want NOTHING to do with the EF, as these people are the most vindictive souls in the Church. Who needs cliche “angry Protestants” when your own Brother and/or Sister in Christ commits vile sins against you and has no respect for the priestly class unless those priests sing their tune and think like them?

- How even in the stupidest of times, or the most awful of times, they still will find time to snipe at you personally or their chosen target of angst when spiritually, they are experiencing the closest thing they will ever experience to monastery life, or a time un-distracted by the outside world to deepen their spiritual lives in prayer and reading. They shirk developing real holiness and charity and opt for sinning via sins of the mind and word, be it written or otherwise. And they still cannot forgive you for your transgressions, or to even once maybe, consider we are a Communal Body of Christ and abandon the “US vs the New World Order and them, the “Novus Ordo Church,” mentality.

I shouldn’t have to make posts like this but staying silent is being an accessory to the sin of defending the ill will done via silence. And maybe, just maybe, a few minds and hearts will be moved to FINALLY see what is right in all this, and for once promote the EF Liturgy and the Church in a good light, than trying to tear it down from within and it’s people for what .... bragging rights? Knowing you are right and others are wrong?

Since when does being right constitute the Summum Bonum, the Greatest Good, which is God, who came down to us for our Salvation as the Word Made Flesh for our salvation, which we commemorated (albeit virtually for almost all laity,) most recently in the Holy Triduum?

Priorities people, priorities. Perhaps a rosary for everything going on may remind you of the One True Focus ... and if you want to direct it against me like a non-Catholic Christian when they say with emptiness "I'll pray for you," don’t bother praying for me at all. Or, pray with deep meaning in your Heart that one day, as Christ wished, your enemy (me,) and you, may be “United as one” here on Earth and in Heaven.

Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin.

COOL ONLINE EF VESPERS FOR HOLY SAT! COURTESY OF SPGC AND I!

EXTRAORDINARY FORM VESPERS!!! TO BE CHANTED THIS SATURDAY, APR 11 @ 6PM on FACEBOOK OF ST. PATRICK'S GREGORIAN CHOIR

(source: https://www.dunkelddiocese.co.uk/dundee-latin-mass-holy-week-and-easter/)

Hello everyone, 

A special opportunity is being presented to the faithful of the Church online, via my good friends of St. Patrick's Gregorian Choir. 

St. Patrick's Gregorian Choir (SPGC), normally chants the Gregorian Chants/Propers for the Saturday 5pm Novus Ordo Masses of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Toronto, run by the Redemptorist Fathers, located downtown Toronto @ 131 McCaul St (Closest subway is St. Patrick's on TTC, intersection is University and Dundas St. W.)  

However, due to the public gathering ban in Ontario, which limits gatherings to 5 people, as well as orders from ++ Collins that all churches in the Archdiocese of Toronto are closed to the public (w/exception to privately arranged confession via appointment, for those parishes willing to do so,) Surinder Mundra, SPGC choirmaster, has moved choir practice online!

The choir is active via its Facebook page doing live-streaming, and is providing a unique opportunity for everyone, (including myself, who normally altar serves and does NOT do the choir side of things,) to participate in their practices !!! The Facebook link is below. 

Facebook for SPGC: https://www.facebook.com/saintpatricksgregorianchoir/

YOUTUBE! : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5yxuDO1ZFhPyhrfsq98l8w

I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO SUBSCRIBE TO THEIR YOUTUBE CHANNEL. IF THEY GET 1000 SUBSCRIBERS THEY WILL BE GRANTED FREE ACCESS TO LIVESTREAM ON THAT PLATFORM!!!! 

The usual time for their online streaming is 6:30PM EST on Saturdays for regular practices, on the Facebook page above. However, extra occasional opportunities may be streamed at different times than usual, and other days ... and one is presenting itself.  

This opporunity (of which I was personally asked to assist in helping put together,) is that the SPGC will be doing EXTRAORDINARY FORM/LATIN MASS VESPERS FOR HOLY SATURDAY! 

The practice for the EF Vespers will be live-streamed on the SPGC Facebook page today, Friday Apr 10, 2020 @ 7pm, and the actual vespers will be chanted Tomorrow, Saturday, Apr 11, 2020 @ 6pm. The event page for the Vespers is below:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1309792552553750/

The chant pages have been uploaded to the Facebook event for the Vespers above. Because FB won't allow for word doc attachment directly, they are attached as screen captures in .jpeg format. 

I hope you will enjoy and be uplifted by this extra opportunity being provided by the choir, and that this will be a great consolation and spiritual food in this time of COVID-19. 

Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin. 

Highlight: Intermission. Dave Armstrong Follow Up.

In the meantime while waiting for Part II of my pro apologia defense for Dave Armstrong, enjoy this commercial break. Geez, some people cannot understand true, fraternal correction in the Catholic faith and true apologetics/evangelization/ecumenism. Oh well, Pax.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2015/12/lately-ive-been-exceedingly-blessed-by-insults.html

Brief Update for Acolyte Post .... It's in Progress

Hello Everyone,

Someone did a search on the internet and found my blog, by typing "role of first acolyte at latin mass."

So since someone inquired, I just want to say that the post is in progress and I got most or all of the background on the position, and I have to do the portion of the post about serving the Mass. It's coming, I just have to get around to it.

Pax, Julian.

Annum Secundum and a Summary from our Holy Father on This Feast of St. Michael (and Gabriel and Raphael)

Hello Everyone,

Lo and behold, this is the second anniversary of Servimus Unum Deum existing in the Catholic blogosphere. While I admit I have not been blogging as much this year, it's still good that this blog's voice exists, to counter that of the Radical Catholic Reactionaries. Not to mention my original focus still stands, and those serving position summaries are here to stay.

More importantly, this is the Feast of St. Michael in both EF and OF calendars of the Latin Rite, though the OF adds archangels St. Gabriel & Raphael on this feast as well. To commemorate this anniversary and the feast of a Saint I love dearly since my time at good old SMCS, allow me to post in full from www.news.va/ the Pope's daily fervorino from today, in the Santa Marta chapel. This one is about angels and how they protect us:

Pope at Santa Marta: The angels defend us

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2014-09-29 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) The angels battle Satan for the destiny of mankind and win.  They defend and custody  the greatest mystery of the Church, God-made-Man.  Even though in Satan often presents “humanistic explanations” for his attacks on mankind.  This was the focus of Pope Francis homily at Mass Monday morning at Casa Santa Marta, marking the Feast of the Holy Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.

Today’s readings present us with very strong images: the vision of the glory of God described by the prophet Daniel with the Son of Man, Jesus Christ, before the Father: the archangel Michael and his angels fighting against "the great dragon, the ancient serpent, he who is called the devil" and "seduces all of inhabited earth," but who is defeated, as affirmed by the Book of Revelation; and the Gospel in which Jesus says to Nathanael: "You will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man". Pope Francis speaks of "the struggle between God and the devil":

"This struggle takes place after Satan seeks to destroy the woman about to give birth to a child. Satan always tries to destroy man: the man that Daniel saw there, in glory, and whom Jesus told Nathanael would come in glory. From the very beginning, the Bible speaks to us of this: Satan’s [use of ] seduction to destroy. Maybe out of envy. We read in Psalm 8: 'Thou hast made ​​man superior to the angels,' and that angel of great intelligence could not bear this humiliation, that a lower creature was made superior to him; thus he tried to destroy it".

Satan, therefore, seeks to destroy humanity, all of us:
"So many projects, except for one's own sins, but many, many projects for mankind’s dehumanization are his work, simply because he hates mankind. He is astute: the first page of Genesis tells us so, he is astute.  He presents things as if they were a good thing.  But his intention is destruction. And the angels defend us. They defend mankind and they defend the God-Man, the superior Man, Jesus Christ who is the perfection of humanity, the most perfect. This is why the Church honors the Angels, because they are the ones who will be in the glory of God – they are in the glory of God - because they defend the great hidden mystery of God, namely, that the Word was made flesh".

"The task of the people of God - the Pope said - is to safeguard man: the man Jesus” because "He is the man who gives life to all men". Instead, in his plans for destruction, Satan has invented "humanistic explanations that go against man, against humanity and against God":

"This struggle is a daily reality in Christian life, in our hearts, in our lives, in our families, in our people, in our churches ... If we do not struggle, we will be defeated. But the Lord has given this task mainly to the angels: to do battle and win. And the final song of Revelation , after this battle, is so beautiful: Now have salvation and power come, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed. For the accuser of our brothers is cast out, who accuses them before our God day and night”.

Pope Francis concluded urging those present to pray to the archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, and "recite the ancient but beautiful prayer to the archangel Michael, so he may continue to do battle and defend the greatest mystery of mankind: that the Word was made Man, died and rose again. This is our treasure. That he may battle on to safeguard it".

(from Vatican Radio)

Pax, Julian. 

Change of Heart for Me for Latin Mass Attendance

Hello Everyone,

For those who have been consistently reading my blog, a number of months ago, I made a post "Au Revoir" whereby after a length of time I initially decided tune out of the Latin Mass because of the nefarious actions of the Trads Behaving Badly and their adherents.

The stronger adherents, who think their masters are the authorities on the Latin Mass, act as their spies in misguided loyalty to them and report back on anyone and anything in the Archdiocese that might be of interest to their masters, or when other Latin Mass people do things against their Radical Catholic Reactionary code.

Because of what these adherents do, and that I would see some of those adherents at my closest TLM parishses of St. Vincent De Paul and Holy Family, my resolve included not going to Latin Masses unless with family and friends, or serving only those Masses alongside what I consider groups and parishes not poisoned by these TBBs, such as St. Lawrence the Martyr (where they only "visit" and occasionally hold a Mass, with the clergy being tolerable and not biased towards one side or another), and the St .Patrick's Gregorian Choir (100% TBB free!)

However, in reflection, I have decided that despite what they do, why should they limit where I can go in my attendance to the Latin Mass? If they are there, as long as they keep to themselves, and if they interact with me civilly and do not act on whatever grievances they have against me or loyalties to their lay masters, why should I not partake in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?

Now, should of course they do want to act on their spite or I figure out they are setting me up for something sinful, I certainly won't hesitate to bring up such concerns among my allies or respected clergy involved, but I should not let them fear me out of the Latin Mass.

So therefore, if I want to go to a Latin Mass in the Archdiocese of Toronto, despite the lack of vigilance against TBB behaviours, alone or with family/friends, I will go in unto the altar of God, [and] to God, Who giveth the joy of my youth.

Now, as for those of you "Glad Trads", feel free if you spot me after Mass, or before if there is time, to say hello and introduce yourself. Pray with me to the Lord, sit with me too if you like, get to know me, and be an example with me that Glad Trads are here to stay in the Archdiocese and the majority. The true governance of spiritual affairs in the Archdiocese is under the bishops under ++Collins, and the Latin Mass is for ALL types of trads, not just the stereotypical ones.

Before I sign off, upcoming things or intended projects here on SUD:

1. Thanks to one group now confirming a special TLM offering, the Fall 2014 Special Offerings post will be made.
2. Altar server postings in the works: Low Mass with One Server, and the Acolyte position.

Pax, Julian.

Two Notes of Blogging Here on S.U.D and Highlight from Fr. Z on Pope Francis End of Papacy (What?)

Hello Everyone,

Just a couple of brief notes here on blogging at S.U.D.

1) Don't expect a lot of altar serving progress or new postings here on Servimus for the next while. Right Now I am knee deep in a really excellent summer course I am taking with St. Paul University Ottawa and Mission of the Redeemer Ministries, called the Summer Institute for New Evangelization. When I am done, I intend to do a post about this course to highlight (and thank) the awesome work of the people and content that created this course, including some of its awesome, powerful revelations I gained with it. They are a lot more Traditionally Catholic than one might think.

Might I add it's for 3 years and earns a certificate or university credit w/St. Paul? Needless to say I have to get my papers (3 of them! One per section of lectures) done by Aug 29th and I have to catch up on video lectures cause I can't afford to take that time off work (I only get 3 weeks unpaid leave until a couple more years later).

Oh, one other note of importance here, on this point. of whom I must give credit to. My TA for the course is none other than the blog-roll master for the SCCC .... Dr. Colin Kerr! Small world eh?

2) I have noticed that I have been getting a lot of hits this past while because of a post I wrote here, about the Nun symbol and my reasons for NOT jumping on this trend, despite now, more and more "Glad Trad"/Orthodox Leaning/"Neo-Cath" bloggers and friends are jumping on it. While I do value the additional hits because it is still a trend, do realize that I present an alternate viewpoint, and those were my reasons at that time. Also, despite the change in who's donning the symbol of death (or solidarity), I am not going to change my stance on the issue, to be consistent, even if this isn't the "Traditional Catholic" thing to do.

However, the positive side effect is that you have been viewing my other postings on my blog, whether archived, or even the more recent ones, even those that wouldn't be deemed "major" posts. Thank you for doing so, and please, do view the central focus of my blog, the altar serving postings that have been created under this page.

And now, the Highlight from Fr. Z.

Today's highlight is a post from prolific Traditional hero priest, Fr. John Zuhlsdorf of What Does the Prayer Really Say?. He posted an interesting post about questions asked to the Holy Father on the airplane leaving from South Korea. Read the posting here. In a nutshell, Pope Francis speaks about Benedict XVI and his re-introducing of the Pope Emeritus (or ability to retire from the Papacy). In the interview, it sounds like as if Pope Francis is pretty much telling us how he's going to leave the Papacy: A) "I'll be dead in a few years given my age", or 2) "I will copy Benedict XVI when I'm too weak to function, and I'm retiring."

My take on it: It's perfectly logical and rational for Pope Francis to say such things. He's 77, a few years shy of being an octogenarian, he's got 1.5 lungs, he might be receiving medical treatment (corticosteroids) according to some sources and weight gain is a common side effect, and he's possibly been slowing down a bit. Look, he's getting old folks, it happens. Also being in a leadership position in an institution in a modern world of the Internet and 24/7 social media, with many of the people in the Church being lukewarm or your enemies (in truth), would stress out anyone, and age them biologically too. It's gonna happen folks. Not to mention Benedict XVI changed the game plan with that Pope Emeritus thing. So you could say "The writing is on the wall," not barring miracles of the Holy Trinity.

Pax, Julian.

Shazam! Finally, It Has Arrived! My Long Awaited Thurifer Posting!

Hey Hey Hey!

Well, I have been delaying incessantly about this for a long time, but finally, I finished my biggest altar serving post to date: THE THURIFER! Smoke and incense !!!

You may view my first released version right here:

 http://torontotlmserving.blogspot.ca/2014/06/latin-mass-serving-role-thurifer.html

It will also go under my serving resources page. I'll have to fix it up in the future and likely add procession stuff when I do more of them. I am just finally glad to be done. Took a long time, but .... enjoy.

Pax, Julian.

WHoa! 50000K hits!

Wow. 50,000 hits as of an hour ago or so. Can't believe this. Thanks a lot for the views, particularly for the ton that keep going to one of my introductory serving posts, the second one about altar things.

And This is why I am not devoted to Traditional Catholicism/The Latin Mass ... BANNED! Shield from Tyrrany

UPDATE! May 27, 2014 2012h EST

Well, it seems as if this was not a mistaken case of someone taking over another's blog account. New evidence here:

Shield decided to remove both his/her blog from the web ....

..... and his/her profile. 

What cowardice. And you wonder why I have sympathy for those nobler traditionalists and prelates who recommend monitoring of online activities and are against pseudonym blogging. Then again, if this person was truly, as they said they were, a lawyer, it was probably a good move to preserve their career.

Sad, and spiritually sick though. Please continue to pray for Shield and I. Pax.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      
Original Post released May 26, 2014


Well, while I said I would not need to post anything for the rest of the month .... some Rad Trad just had to be asinine and make me reconsider.

In my prior posts, an online "presence" who does have a blog, self-titled, Shield from Tyranny, had made comments in prior postings which were well-presented and eloquent. He/She, whomever they are, seemed like a reasonable soul .... until today.

This is honestly a sad state of events, a sad 180 degree turnaround with really, no necessity, nor explanation.
Even sadder, this person's profile tells us that He/She is a lawyer in Toronto. A lawyer! A lawyer would know better than to pull such shenanigans, because any proof of debauchery or personally inappropriate acts could be reported to their professional college in Ontario, the Ontario Bar Association, which could happily kill their right to practice Law in Ontario. The evidence:

Yep. Toronto .... Lawyer. 

More so, this blogger is doing this harassment under their pseudonym. If this is truly one and the same person, and not someone else (see the end of my post,) clearly this barrister and solicitor has used his/her anonymity to commit such slander that they would never do professionally, or as their real life identity. What a low brow act. 

 I got to go home from work to find this unpleasant surprise. This appeared in my comment box, the text reproduced, with a MUCH necessary edit by me in the square brackets for vulgarity with the F-word:

"I must say your fear and /or refusal to publish comments illustrate the fact that you are an absolute thought nazi. Go [&#^$] yourself barkin on May posting 2b: Breaking! Collins Leading Souls Back to the Faith, Rejection of Liberal Party! Publish | Delete | Spam   Shield from Tyrrany at 16:50``

Wow, just wow. This is quite a radical and marked change from this person's prior behaviour.

First and foremost, Shield, you have committed a calumny against my person and spiritual soul, of which calumny has been deemed by our Holy Father as an act of Satan.

I am not a `thought` nazi as you put it. This is my personal blog, and YES, I have attached my real birth name to the blog. When I do not post comments on my blog, it is because they are of a malicious, vile nature, are spam, or have taints of radical traditionalist ideas/sentiments in them. Why should I allow such vile spew to penetrate my blog? I abhor radical traditionalism. However, I am quite gratuitious in what I post, even if there is disagreement in my posting if it does still exhibit proper, Catholic, fraternal charity.

Secondly, YOU, have not been denied EVER, any posting of your thoughts/comments on my blog, because in past, you were positive in such postings, as well as your thoughts and ideas DID exhibit modicums of Catholic Charity.At least you have not been denied under the blogger profile/pseudonym "Shield from Tyrrany". If you are being facetious and posting under multiple aliases, then perhaps I have denied one of your more "radical" postings. However, as "Shield," here's an example of HOW IN PAST, YOU  HAVE SPOKEN, ON MY BLOG:

"I agree. I am one who prefers to only attend TLM, but cannot endorse the total lack of charity and love shown by some of the parties you rightly call out here. And I am a big fan of Cardinal Collins. I have had the opportunity to speak with him by email and in person about making more TLM available in the diocese. He has shown me nothing but true listening, understanding and sincere pastoral care each time I have spoken with him. Great blog. Keep up good work on My Two Cents: Recent Idol Worship of Cardinal Burke by Right Wingers and Trads Behaving Badly   Remove content | Delete | Spam   Shield from Tyrrany
on 16/01/14"

So while you disagreed with me, I let your comment be posted. THIS, was an example of Catholic Fraternal charity in posting. This is starkly different from your vulgarity tonight.

And what about recently? YOU commented on the first of my May postings, when I was speaking about another Trad Behaving Blogger. Here's the evidence.

My First 2014 May Post

Clearly here, your Honour, is the comment of the named "Shield of Tyrrany, " released publicly on Servimus Unum Deum, by me. I even had the courtesy to reply to Shield. 

BANNED: Shield from Tyrrany!

I, Julian Barkin, sole author of Servimus Unum Deum, hereby BAN, the blogger known as "Shield from Tyrrany", from this blog. Shield from Tyrrany has violated a major blog rule, that being "I will NOT TOLERATE any of the following. .... - Direct insults at me or anyone else partaking in Latin Mass Efforts. If you have an issue with other people, take it up with them, but I won't allow piss-potting here. "

No future comments shall be released from this blogger publicly on the web, and all future comments will be archived and stored for legal/personal purposes. Any other messages will hereby be stored and archived as well. Should harassment through any means of communication be pursued, criminal or eccleastical authorities will also be notified to pursue any means of necessary investigation. 

One note ....

I will say, for someone to perform a complete 180 degree turn, this is highly unusual. I can only conclude a few things of this matter:

1) Shield was possibly, radically traditionalist this whole time and has revealed his/her true feelings towards me. I would hope this is not so .....

2) Shield has connections to my enemies within the radical traditionalist camp, and was egged on by them to harass me online, possibly considering my recent postings. 

3) Someone might have hacked/used Shield's account to write the defamatory message. I have heard of blogger accounts/addresses being used after abandonment to be used for evil, under the bloggers former alias.

I would sincerely hope that the third possibility is the truth, and that an apology would be highly forthcoming, or someone reveals the truth about this incident. Again, a 100% change in behaviour from past experiences is highly unusual. I hope that if the third issue is the truth, that the "Real" Shield from Tyrrany would message me somehow under their real birth name, preferably from a personal or their legal e-mail with their firm/practice. 

Everyone, pray for Shield of Tyrrany, and/or the fraudster if his/her account has been hacked. For me as well. This was uncalled for. And let's hope that this is really something abnormal, and not truly who this person really is. 

Pax, Julian. 

Tuning out ... Au Revior for now ...

To those who come here, and/or read S.U.D.

Hello and thanks for viewing this blog in past, present, and future.

I think it's only fair that between the involvement I had with the Latin Mass community in the Archdiocese of Toronto, as well as that this blog has been up for a while, I comment on the recent situation in my life. If you've seen the title above, well yes ....

I am pretty much done with the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite for now. Why?

1) Personal Commitments.
Over several months, I have had much change in my life that has made it harder to devote myself to the Extraordinary form of the Roman Rite: Since early September I have been dating a fine young lady who is devoted to her faith, and surprisingly, finds me attractive. I also had a job change to a part time M-F job with rotating 1/2 day shifts. In addition, I've been heavily involved in various ministry in my Novus Ordo parish. I must also say that the preaching is becoming much more consistent and even, conservative with hints of traditional Catholicism to sat the least, and preaching-wise the lines between TLM and Novus Ordo preaching are starting to blur while in my parish.

While I have had much to do with my Novus Ordo parish, I have to admit I have not even been going to the TLM even occasionally. I initially was thinking of alternating between TLM and the regular Novus Ordo parish, but that plan dissipated rather quickly .....

2) Loss of desire due to Radical Traditionalism and other Events in the Church
This whole time, if you haven't noticed between my posts and in my about page as to why I've done this blog, there's been a heavy weight on my heart since entering the realm of Traditional Catholicism. And needless to say, the tumour has infested itself to the point it must be excised from my life spiritually.

On a grand scale in the Church, it's clear that much of the hierarchy, is still, anti-Traditionalist and the Novus Ordo, and it's culture in normal parish life, is here to stay a long time. While gradually more priests and younger ordinandi are shifting back to the center to center right theologically and politically, the TLM is still the "black sheep" of Traditional Catholicism, despite the majority of its laity and adherents being good faithful Catholics to the Church and obedient to the Magisterium and the Churchs' rules and doctrine. Unfortunately, "in the name of Francis", persecution has been rampant on Traditional Catholicism. While there have been solid cases like Fisher More College in the USA for the need to restrict the TLM (and contain the Radical leaders associated with the chapel/college), there have been cases of unjust persecution such as with Una Voce Costa Rica (though more evidence needs to be forthcoming, as to whether Trad Behaving Badly elements played a part in this, or not), and clergy and laity are still not as open to it, despite what Benedict XVI did.

More so, the Catholic blog-o-sphere has become rife with angry, Trads Behaving Badly, who support one another in their efforts, as well as continue to be the self-supported leaders of the Traditionalist Movement, giving all Traditional Catholics a bad name, and continue to rage rampant and unchecked in their archdioceses and the Church, without being shut down by the authorities, both ecclesiastical and civil. They knowingly participate in online and personal harassment of other bloggers, chalking it up to wielding a right to protest against Church/moral evils, or having some sort of self-righteous authority. While many orthodox, or in the minds of the TBBs who villify them, "neo-Catholic," bloggers are speaking out more against these evil-doers, these TBB bloggers still hold sway among the Trad community, and continue to spiritually poison and corrupt the minds of others and their readers. Just look at Michael Voris devotees! They are just as guilty as the lie-berals who swear by the false Spirit of Vatican II! You can`t insult the almighty Voris! He is like God!!! He is our Saviour!!! (wait, I thought Jesus was your saviour???).

So on a grander scale, it's clear that the Church is still much so, anti-Trad, and the internet czars who self-authorize themselves as defenders of Traditional Catholicism are not making the situation better. So where does this lead to my own falling away from the Traditional Latin Mass???

Well, personally, since coming into the Latin Mass, and being involved as a server, I have sadly seen this head on first-hand, and personally experienced both personal and online harassment from this group of people in my own Archdiocese. It even still continues as recently as a month ago when I discussed a case of the sick idol worship of Cardinal Burke, thanks to a TBB blog, Rorate Caelli. Many conservative/TBB blogs carried this article also. I was sick of the whole propping up and took it to task respectfully, and of course, some of the harassers decided it would be fun to send calumnious and detracting spiritual taunts in reply, though they at least were smart about it and spewed that venom on their own blogs, and didn't communicate with me directly or do anything behind my back (that I know of). I have also witnessed TBBs attack my other good and humble Latin Mass friends I have associations with, try to manipulate clergy and laity to do their bidding, cause division within the community as to whom to associate with and where to go to Mass, and a number of my serving comrades have left the Latin Mass entirely, or taken sides in the time I have lingered. It has really saddened me to see the servers leave especially as many of us are young children or men, and most young boys and men don't even know anything of the Latin Mass.

Sadly because of their actions, I cannot attend my closest TLM Mass, held with Holy Family and St. Vincent De Paul Churches, of the Oratory of St. Phillip Neri. Well, I won't attend unless I am accompanied by a friend or relative, with maybe an exception in future to Candlemas. Those priests are excellent and the work and education they do is outstanding! However, among their crowd lingers the TBBs, and those people do attend those Masses. Further, because of my actions in this time of the EF, that is, rejecting what they stand for, as well as this blog, I know my name has been thrown around and I am vilified in their minds. It does not matter what they say or do facetiously. I know that I am an enemy for what has transpired in the community, because I picked the ``wrong side`` and the efforts I have tried to do to fight the Radical Traditionalism present. Unfortunately, they and their masters reign supreme in the Latin Mass community in the Archdiocese of Toronto, and even people in the community have attacked the Oratorians themselves, or at least aired ``parish dirty laundry`` despite being a part of the parish and associated with the TLM.

Because of all this conflict and damage, I have personally lost the fire I have for the Extraordinary Form. Don`t get me wrong, I find the liturgy makes it somewhat easier for me to focus on praying to the Lord, I love the ``smells and bells`` as it were, and I did enjoy the time I got to serve the Mass, and I might still do it occasionally with the St. Patrick`s Gregorian Choir, whose work and reports of the Masses I`ve featured here on S.U.D. I am proud and happy to feature their work, as much of the work they do deserves higher recognition by the Latin Mass blogging world out there! Might I also add that while there are accounts of the development of the Latin Mass in the Archdiocese of Toronto on the Internet, the SPGC has been WOEFULLY, left out of the accounts and only part of the truth has been told. Reporting bias I suppose, but that`s nothing new in the world of media and journalism, even if it is on a local or genre/niche-specific scale.

At this time, I would not want to be involved to the extent that I had been in the past due to all the above. It is even for the reasoning above. I don`t even want an ``occasional`` attendance at a TLM because I cannot ever feel safe in these communities as long as the TBBs have free reign and are not being policed by their own fellow Traditionalist siblings of Christ, their organizations, the clergy they work with, or the Office of the Archdiocese of Toronto. At times, I even sympathize with those who restrict or criticize the TLM movement and the "new pelagians" hidden within the movement for valid reasons.

In Conclusion. 
I, Julian Barkin, here on Servimus Unum Deum, am basically, reducing my blogging and my contributions to the blog and the Latin Mass to next to nothing. I will occasionally highlight a post of worthy note and place it here, with the dual purpose of distribution and to maintain my status on the Society of Canadian Catholic Bloggers, as well as that this blog, and the progress I've made on it for the Latin Mass, remains on the Internet (barring circumstances out of my control) for those who want to serve the minor positions in the TLM and read the prepatory materials. I also nearly finished a posting on the thurifer position and will at my convenience work on it to release it in the future.

The group of S.U.D. will be placed on prolonged hiatus, unless someone in the TLM community in the Archdiocese of Toronto, or another person with the experience and resources to carry on the group, can do so. Be warned it will take much time, effort, co-ordination, and resources to carry on the duty in light of current events in the Church, and it will be a major commitment.

Basically it's been a mixed ride, though I will say I still do enjoy the TLM. I would love it even more and return to it in some way in the future, were the condition in our Archdiocese (and the Church to an extent) more suitable. My only last word of advice for any of you in my Archdioese of Toronto, and even others, is to continue to approach AND WORK POSITIVELY WITH His Eminence ++Collins, or your own archdiocese elsewhere if your clergy are willing, to promoting the Extraordinary Form of the Roman rite but also in ensuring that the communities are policed properly to deal with and dispel the harmful Traditionalist Behaving Badly elements which hamper the whole movement. Should you be willing to do so, it is entirely possible that the authorities in the Church will at least realize the sincerity and popularity of the request, even so far as to accommodate the requests in some way or form.

And of course .... SERVE THE LATIN MASS!!! SERVIMUS UNUM DEUM!!!!

Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin.

ANNUM PRIMUM, EST FINIS! Happy Blog-o-versary on Servimus Unum Deum + The Feast of St. Michael the Archangel (& Gabriel and Raphael in N.O)

Hello Everyone.

Well, I can't believe this, but this blog, this little labour of love for the Latin Mass from an altar server's perspective, is one year old. It was on Sept 29th last year that I decided to plunge ahead with this blog, to begin the journey of blogging on tips and run-throughs of altar serving in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, and give coverage to other Latin Mass efforts in the Archdiocese of Toronto that were not getting equal or additional coverage. Now, a number of serving posts exists, with others in progress, other areas of Traditional Catholicism, and even the Novus Ordo at times have been covered. Since inception, I`ve reached Over 25000K pageviews! I never thought this niche blog would get that in a year.

Tomorrow is also special besides this anniversary for another reason. This weekend, we arrive at a big feast day in the Church, which the Archdiocese of Toronto under His Eminence, Thomas Cardinal Collins, has ordered to be celebrated superseding the normal Sunday Ordoes. In the Novus Ordo and the EF in other areas of the world, this would be the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time or the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost. This Sunday, he declared that the Feast of St. Michael and its associated readings be used as the Ordo for this Sunday. This is, to my understanding, for a number of reasons:

• To coincide with the ongoing implementation of the Pastoral Plan to enhance the Archdiocese of Toronto
• To coincide with the Year of Faith that has been promulgated by the Vatican
• Because St. Michael is the Patron saint of this Archdiocese, and is whom our Cathedral is named after
• Because we need his intercession in this time of our lives as Catholics.  

I`ll admit, that the reasons above aren`t official, but are what I can arrive at to my understanding. Personally I am not too keen on the idea of non-1st class (EF lingo) feast days/Solemnities of Saints superseding the normal Sunday Mass Ordo (cause I`m more of a rules and order person), which breaks from the ``universality`` of the Catholic Church (where wherever you go, you are supposed to get the same Mass, with the same ordo). Despite this snafoo, I`m pleased it was St Michael`s feast being the one to be chosen. Being a proud graduate of St. Michael`s College School, having been raised on the school Hymn to St. Michael, the SMCS tradition, and the like, it is great that I get to share a teensy little space next to this awesome feast and saint.

For now, as long as I continue to be involved with Latin Mass serving, the Servimus Unum Deum blog will continue onward in its 2nd year, and may under the patronage of St. Michael and through his intercession, that the Latin Mass may proliferate and grow in Catholic, positive, and Christ-centered means; may also the great commander of all the angels, continue to defend us from the spiritual assaults of the Evil One, whom he banished to Hell in the Great War in Heaven.

(Source Unknown)

Sancte Michael Archangele, Ora Pro Nobis!



Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin.

REMINDER: Servimus Unum Deum Serving Practice Tomorrow, Sat Sept 28, 2013 630pm

Hello Everyone.

Just a reminder ....

The next practice for the Servimus Unum Deum Latin Mass serving group will take place next Saturday, September 28, 2013 @ 630pm, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

More details here: http://torontotlmserving.blogspot.ca/2013/09/annoncement-next-servimus-unum-deum.html

One important detail: While the St. Pat's Choir and I will be inside the Church, the doors will be locked after 630pm. If you arrive late, please call my cell number so I can let you in the Church: 416-894-1725.

Pax. Tibi Christ, Julian Barkin.

ANNONCEMENT: Next Servimus Unum Deum Serving Group Practice - Saturday Sept 28 @ 630 PM St. Pat`s Toronto

Hello everyone.

The next practice for the Servimus Unum Deum Latin Mass serving group will take place next Saturday, September 28, 2013 @ 630pm, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

The church is located at 131 McCaul Street, Toronto, near Dundas St. W. and University Avenue, downtown. The closest subway station is St. Patrick's station. You get off at St. Patrick's, West side, go west on Dundas St. W 3 blocks towards the "Village by the Grange" and past a police station, and then turn right onto McCaul St.

The focus of the practice is the Solemn Latin Mass, as there will be upcoming Masses in the Archdiocese that will be of the Solemn/Missa Solemnis level. Please confirm your attendance, and should the church be locked at or after 630pm, please call my cell number provided on the attached poster for this practice.

Please attend this practice, especially if you are interested in serving for the St. Patrick's Gregorian Choir Solemn Latin Mass to take place on the last Sunday of October, for their annual Christ the King Mass.

In addition, if there is a young man, or another practicing Catholic gentleman in your life, whom you think would be interested, please pass along this information and the poster to them, or your parish, and have them contact me through my e-mail and/or my number provided in the poster.

Thank you, and Pax Tibi Christi, Julian Barkin.



Don't worry, I'm Still Here

Hello Everyone,

Just checking in. I just haven't had time to get into some serious blogging work, between work and my other activities.

I do want to continue and finish the thurifer post in future. Also, I will be working on getting the September practice set up for the SUD Latin Mass serving group, though I will have to move it to another date to work commitments I cannot switch a shift for.

So don't worry, I haven't left the building yet. Just got a lot on my plate. Pax, Julian.

Brief MIA: Brief Vacation away from Servimus

Hello Everyone.

If you don't see any more highlights, articles, etc. for a while, save the odd one or two over the next week, it is because I am on a vacation from work. I might do some post-work on the thurifer post, but other than that, I'll just be reading my blogger feed.

Part of it will be hunkering down with the family and friends, taking a bit of rest, and my Labour Day weekend having something exciting I am preparing for:

Canada's Annual Marie Reine Du Cap Pilgrimage with the FSSP.

Briefly, every year the St. Clement's (at St. Anne's parish) FSSP community in Ottawa, organize a 3-day (+ travel time) long walking pilgrimage through the Trois-Rivieres region of Quebec along the St. Lawrence River. Latin Masses every day, virtually 24-7 access to confession from FSSP priests, and more.

The main website for the pilgrimage is here:

http://www.marie-reine.ca/index_en.php

Also, for you Traditional Catholic who surf the blogosphere, it might peak your interest to know that this pilgrimage has been featured on popular Trad websites such as New Liturgical Movement and the more right-wing Rorate Caeli, as well as right-wing Catholic forum, Fisheaters:

http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2009/08/marie-reine-du-canada-pilgrimage-to.html#.UhvFenVzY6Y

http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2012/07/events-mary-queen-of-canada-pilgrimage.html

http://catholicforum.fisheaters.com/index.php?topic=3453443.0;wap2 (This is a cached blog entry. I don't think you can sign up for their forums currently).

So, if any one isn't doing anything productive this coming weekend in Canada, you still have time to prepare and sign up!!! Just contact the person listed on the website for your division: English or French.

Pax Tibi Christi, and have a good week. Julian Barkin.

FINAL REMINDER: SERVIMUS UNUM DEUM - LATIN MASS SERVING PRACTICE

PLEASE SEE HERE:

http://torontotlmserving.blogspot.ca/2013/08/annoucnement-latin-mass-serving.html

Pax, Julian

ANNOUCNEMENT: LATIN MASS SERVING PRACTICE FRIDAY AUGUST 23, 2013

Hello Everyone.

I would like to announce the next Latin Mass Practice for what is now, the Servimus Unum Deum - Latin Mass practice group.

The Servimus Unum Deum group is summarized as having the following goals:

``This monthly Latin Mass serving group is open to males in grade 6 and up, and adults, who are practicing Catholics in the Archdiocese of Toronto. All are welcome to participate regardless of serving experience and/or familiarity with the Latin Mass. The group aims to foster a positive, Catholic environment to provide altar server training, applicable to all levels of the Latin Mass. This group practices at two major parishes in the archdiocese, alternating to be fair and accommodate the transportation needs of our members``

The next practice will be Friday, August 23, 2013, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 2305 Bloor Street West (between Runnymede and Jane on the TTC). The practice is at 7pm.

I, Julian Barkin, will be the instructor for this coming practice, as our primary instructor, Paul Mundra, has a family event that must be attended to. In Paul's absence, the focus of this practice will be on serving basics, such as the basic idea of altar serving, genuflections, decorum, reverence, etc.

Should time permit, I might also start to go through the responses at the Latin Mass, specifically the Confiteor and the Domine Non Sum Dignus, as regardless what Mass level the server wishes to begin at, you MUST know these responses by heart and will not have the aid of the server's response card with you at said times.

In addition, I will try to work on a brief summary handout of what I will try to teach at this session. Should my schedule not permit this, all servers in attendance will be sent this handout to their emails.

Here is the poster for the practice:

 

Please pass on the information to interested young men, family members, etc. who might desire to venture into Latin Mass serving, despite their inexperience, or full experience.

 

 

Pax, Julian. 

Brief reflection on Blog Stats: Purpose Accomplished

Hello Everyone.

I just wanted to show you some of the stats I obtained through my blogger analysis. Over a week's worth of stats, ending today, here's the top ten search terms that have led to my blog:

latin mass locations in gta	3
latin mass toronto	3
epiphany blessing	2
steven szakaczki	2
what mass srvers must known	1
+"latin mass" hypocrisy	1
catholic church altar items	1
clerical vestments	1
deep bow	1
extraordinary form • altar set-up to gospel	1

This is great. Save that weird hypocrisy hit, This means people are wanting to attend the Latin Mass, learn about Catholic traditions or specific objects, and parts or people pertaining to the Extraordinary Form. There is a need for such online coverage and people are wanting this information out there.

Here's the specific post viewings for this week:

Posts

Entry	Pageviews
Starter Points II - General Altar Knowledge that S... 13 Jan 2013	28
LATIN MASSES FOR ASCENSION OF JESUS THIS THURSDAY ... 7 May 2013	23
Latin Masses for Feast Days and Solemnities in the... 7 May 2013	15
Starter Points II - General Actions Servers Will D... 11 Dec 2012	10
Latin Mass Serving Roles: The Boat Bearer AND the ... 19 Apr 2013	8

As you can see, 3 of the top 5 viewings are for my altar serving information postings on how to serve the Latin Mass. The biggest, is my most popular serving post of all time, the General Altar Knowledge/Starter Points II part 2/3 posting. Second was my listings of the additional Latin Masses by organizations/parishes for the Feast of the Ascension this past Thursday in the EF liturgical Calendar.

This blog clearly is serving its purpose, and I am glad for that. It's filling that niche that people want in the Church, or your sheer curiosity. I just hope you are acting on that knowledge and contributing to the Extraordinary Form in your Sunday/daily worship or entering into altar serving. Thank you for stopping by.

Happy Ascension Sunday (Ordinary Form) or Sunday after the Ascension (Extraordinary Form).

Pax, Julian Barkin