A Huge Response in Favor of the Traditional Latin Mass ….
...by Susan Eramo
It’s no surprise that there has been a huge positive response to the survey of the parishioners at Saint Lucy’s Parish in Newark, New Jersey as to whether they wanted the Traditional Latin Mass in their parish. Rev. Msgr. Joseph J. Granato, pastor of St. Lucy’s attributes the great interest and desire for the Latin Mass by over 200 of his parishioners to the fact that they are particularly devout and reverent in their worship, and most especially in their adoration of the Holy Eucharist. He spoke of what he called “the sacred silence” instilled in his church.
A HUGE RESPONSE IN FAVOR OF THE TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS ….
Many of his parishioners grew up with the Latin Mass and he mentioned that there are those in his parish who have always talked about bringing back the Latin Mass.
Msgr. Granato told me that something prompted him to acquire the 1962 missal a few years ago. That, combined with the fact that they never got rid of their altar cards, and that the magnificent altar was left untouched puts them in a prime position to offer the Latin Mass once again in all its glory.
According to the pastor, the Latin Mass will start on September 16. He is “brushing up” on the Mass that he offered for a decade between the 1950’s and 60’s. Availability of altar servers will not be a problem he stated, and that if they could not get boys, they would get the men to serve. Another priest in the parish, Fr. Diego who has been ordained for only 10 years, is studying the Tridentine rite and is eager to learn.
According to Msgr. Granato, there are no other parishes in his area doing this, but he does expect a jump in the number of faithful attending at his parish because of the Latin Mass. Msgr. Granato did not feel that making the Latin Mass available is a step backwards, but it was his opinion that it could attract opposition from some bishops.
The archbishop of the Archdiocese of Newark, Archbishop John Joseph Meyers “is on board with this,” and according to Msgr. Granato, the archbishop stated that he reverently accepts Pope Benedict’s declaration. He said that the archbishop has plans for further preparation in order to make the traditional Mass available in the archdiocese of Newark. He spoke with the highest regard for our Holy Father and described him as a strategist, that the pope prayed for this, and prepared the way for Summorum Pontificum.
Many thanks to Msgr.Granato for graciously responding to this interview. We also thank him for taking this important initiative in his parish and we pray that he will receive abundant graces for this endeavor.
Mrs. Susan Eramo
Comments (4)
You probably know that St. Lucy’s is the National Shrine of Saint Gerard. Miracles still happen there today, usually relative to child-bearing. Every year in the Fall there is a festival in his honor with a big procession. Seeing the faith of the people there is a moving experience.
Posted by Barbara | August 23, 2007 6:21 AM
Posted on August 23, 2007 06:21
Saint Gerard helps children come into the world. Who do you pray to after they come, especially when they are in their teens?
Posted by Anonymous | August 24, 2007 4:29 PM
Posted on August 24, 2007 16:29
St. Aloysius Gonzaga is a patron of teenagers. For girls, pray to St. Maria Goretti or St. Agnes. For boys pray to St. Dominic Savio. I would recommend that mothers pray to Our Blessed Mother for guidance and fathers pray to St. Joseph for the same. The Holy Family is the perfect family model. Also remember the guardian angel of the teenager as well as his or her patron saint.
Posted by Sue | August 25, 2007 6:19 PM
Posted on August 25, 2007 18:19
Exciting!
Posted by Jeremy | August 28, 2007 8:10 PM
Posted on August 28, 2007 20:10