Everything Old Is New Again
Today Father Martin Kelly celebrated the traditional Latin
Mass at St. Patrick's Church in Nashua, NH. I arrived
twenty minutes early and the parking lot was already
as full as if for a Sunday Mass. By the time the bells
rang for the beginning of the Mass the church was filled.
had never seen it that full before. Quite a few women
wore veils or hats and a similar proportion of the men
were well dressed.
Fr. Kelly had never said the traditional Mass before
but I wouldn't have known it if he hadn't told us.
The choir sang the Mass beautifully. As It was
a new experience to many, there was some
uncertainty as to when to stand and kneel.
After Mass I talked to people who had come from
Boston, Maine and even Texas (visiting family) but
there was a large showing of parish regulars too.
Mike Dangel, a member of St. Patrick's Knights of
Columbus, said it was certainly a larger crowd than
for a regular Sunday Mass. Fr. Kelly didn't know
what to expect for turnout but must have been
pleased with what he saw.
I've been attending the traditional Mass for ten
years now and it occurred to me that for most in
attendance today, THIS is the new Mass. They
have grown up with the Novus Ordo, which we
used to call 'the new Mass', but for this generation,
the traditional Latin Mass is really the new Mass.
After Mass I heard people describe how they
shedding tears of joy for having attended the
traditional Mass in this beautiful parish church.
I have to admit, that I did also. I would like to
thank Fr. Kelly for responding to the initiative of
Pope Benedict and the desires of his parish in
giving us this historic celebration. Thank you
Fr. Kelly. Thank you Bishop McCormack. And
especially, thank you to our Holy Father,
Pope Benedict.
Fr. Kelly is planning to celebrate the traditional
Mass on the second and fourth Sundays of the
month. The times will be announced.
Oliver McMahon
