Book Release - Turned Around: Replying to Common Objections Against the Traditional Latin Mass

Recently, TAN released my latest book, Turned Around: Replying to Common Objections Against the Traditional Latin Mass.

Here's the idea behind it. I take nine objections Catholics make to the traditional Latin Mass, and turn them around in jiu-jitsu fashion: “You are right—but you don’t realize how right you are!”

New Memoir Recalls Conciliar Turmoil in Parishes and Families

Downside Abbey, where many events narrated in Two Families took place

Those who move in traditional circles in the UK tell me that “everyone has heard of the Bevans.” They are a large and highly musical clan whose members have been singing for decades in liturgies and concerts. Os Justi Press is proud to have just released Joseph Bevan’s book Two Families: A Memoir of English Life During and After the Council.

In running through his eventful life, Bevan vividly describes what the practice of Catholicism was like before, during, and after the Council: he shows the strengths and weaknesses of the preconciliar routine, the confusion unleashed in the 1960s, the collapse of the liturgy and especially of sacred music “in real time,” as it was unfolding.

Three Major New Resources for the Old (pre-1955) Holy Week

The momentum behind rediscovering and restoring tradition has not abated; on the contrary, I would say it is intensifying. Those who care, care more; and those who know and love will not be deterred by those who are indifferent to or full of hatred for tradition. With that as a prefatory remark, here are three new publications for the pre-55 Holy Week, which continues its quiet conquest.

The Masses of Holy Week & Tenebrae

Traditionalist Remedies for the Autoimmune Disease Gripping the Church on Earth

On December 14, 2023, the New York publisher Angelico Press announced the release of my latest book, Bound by Truth: Authority, Obedience, Tradition, and the Common Good. Four days later, Cardinal Fernández dropped his fiduciary supplication, and the Catholic world went berserk (rightly so). In that sense, the end of 2023 might not have seemed like an auspicious time for rolling out a new book! 

Book Announcement: “Good Music, Sacred Music, and Silence: Three Gifts of God for Liturgy and for Life”

I am happy to share with readers of Rorate the announcement of my latest book, released today: Good Music, Sacred Music, and Silence: Three Gifts of God for Liturgy and for Life (TAN, 2023). This book—the fruit of decades of working as a church singer, choir director, composer, and teacher of music at the college level—is a heartfelt appeal to take the art of music as seriously as it deserves to be taken.

The first part deals with the corrosive cultural and psychological effects of a lot of modern popular music, contrasted with the numerous benefits of a lifelong apprenticeship to the great music of the Western tradition (including the many excellent composers working today). Here I draw upon such thinkers as Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Pieper, and Ratzinger as well as years of interesting interactions with young people, whom I often guided through what might be called their “musical conversion.”

New book answers the questions: “What is the Roman Rite of Mass? What, indeed, is a traditional liturgy?”

I am pleased to announce to readers of this blog the release of my latest book, The Once and Future Roman Rite: Returning to the Traditional Latin Liturgy after Seventy Years of Exile (TAN Books, 2022). Although it was initially conceived as a response to the fiftieth anniversary of the Novus Ordo (1969-2019) and work began on it then, it developed over time into a full-on response to the numerous errors and lies of progressive liturgists as we find them regurgitated in Traditionis Custodes and its accompanying letter.

The fruit of decades of research, experience, reflection, and debate, Once and Future Roman Rite argues that the guiding principle for all authentic Christian liturgy is sacred Tradition, which originates from Christ and is unfolded theologically and liturgically by the Holy Spirit throughout the life of the Church, in each age and across the ages. The prominent identifying traits of all traditional rites, Eastern and Western—including, of course, the classical Roman Rite—are markedly and designedly absent from or optional in the Novus Ordo, estranging it from their company and making it impossible to call it “the Roman rite” at all.

Paul VI’s new liturgical books, drafted in unseemly haste by an audacious committee of arrogant men who placed themselves above and outside of the stream of tradition as its jury, judge, and executioner, visited upon the longsuffering Roman Catholic faithful a hasty and far-reaching reform permeated with nominalism, voluntarism, Protestantism, rationalism, antiquarianism, hyperpapalism, and other modern errors. But this much is always true and will always be true: man is not master over divine liturgy; rather, all of us, from the lowest-ranking layman to the pope himself, are called to be stewards of God’s best and choicest gifts. This, in turn, imposes genuine moral and ecclesial duties upon us and bestows corresponding rights.

Words of Spiritual Wisdom from Dom Pius de Hemptinne, a Disciple of Dom Columba Marmion

Readers of the works of Blessed Columba Marmion, O.S.B., know firsthand the riches he spreads before us — a veritable banquet of the mystical life, rooted in Sacred Scripture and the Church’s traditional liturgy.

Relatively few, however, are aware of his disciples and the correspondence he conducted with men and women throughout the world, especially religious men and women who turned to him for spiritual direction at a distance. One of these disciples was a monk, Dom Pius de Hemptinne, O.S.B. (1879–1907), who left behind precious spiritual writings of his own.

Traditionalist publishing renaissance (6): Cluny Media's enormous commitment to republishing old classics

Today I feature Cluny Media, "a Rhode Island-based publishing house dedicated to promoting the Catholic tradition and supporting evangelization with great books that speak of truth, goodness, and beauty."

Traditionalist publishing renaissance (5): The newly-established Cenacle Press

Many readers will already be familiar with the wonderful online giftshop of the traditional Benedictine monastery of Silverstream Priory in Ireland. The same monastery has recently launched Cenacle Press, with six classic reprints, all newly typeset -- four by Robert Hugh Benson and two by Dom Hubert van Zeller -- along with biography of a remarkable Polish nun, Sr. Maria Bernadette of the Cross, and a collection of new poetic works and poetic translations from Latin by the monks of Silverstream.

All titles are available from the online giftshop (ships to anywhere) and also at online retailers such as Amazon. Happy reading!

Announcing a Major New Work on the Nature of the Papacy and the Reign of Francis

In my work (especially over the past decade), I have devoted a great deal of attention to the nature and role of the papacy, looking to understand both the office in itself, from historical, theological, canonical, and liturgical points of view, and the South American Jesuit neo-modernist who currently occupies it.

As the fruition and culmination of that work, I have just published a two-volume set with Arouca Press: The Road from Hyperpapalism to Catholicism: Rethinking the Papacy in a Time of Ecclesial Distintegration.

Thinking of starting up Compline? Check out these editions (English/Latin & Spanish/Latin) of the old Roman Compline

I was happy to see that, in the recent Rorate survey on the Divine Office, Vespers and Compline emerged as the frontrunners. For indeed, Vespers has always been regarded in the tradition as the primary liturgical function after Mass (as seen in the ceremonial that accompanies it), and Compline is the most comforting of prayers.

What is your favorite Hour of the Office?

— Rorate Caeli (@RorateCaeli) March 30, 2022

New Catholic recommended monastic Compline for its unchangeable structure, and as a Benedictine oblate, I agree that this feature is both highly practical and deeply consoling. But let's not forget that the old (pre-Pius X) Roman Compline was exactly the same way, showing the continuity that existed between the diocesan and monastic worlds. A beautiful new edition of the classic Tridentine Compline has been prepared by Gerhard Eger, as announced here back in December (see that post for more information):

Announcing True Obedience in the Church: A Guide for Discernment in Challenging Times

I am happy to announce the release of my tract True Obedience in the Church: A Guide for Discernment in Challenging Times (Sophia Institute Press). Originating as a talk for the October 2021 Catholic Identity Conference, the text was then developed into a longer essay with ample notes. A special website has been set up for it (TrueObedience.com), where visitors will find articles, reviews, videos, excerpts, endorsements, and a special offer for clergy and seminarians.

New Book: “Ever Ancient, Ever New: Why Younger Generations are Embracing Traditional Catholicism”

The following description was partly adapted from the publisher's.

TAN Books has released a new book to address a question that seems to have stumped both faithful and secular pundits alike: Why are so many young people flocking to the Traditional Latin Mass? In Ever Ancient, Ever New: Why Younger Generations are Embracing Traditional Catholicism, readers will see that despite a rapid decline in Catholic demographics, there is hope -- parishes that offer the Latin Mass are growing, and at an incredible rate.

In Ever Ancient, Ever New, millennials enthralled with the traditional devotions of our Faith which have been left largely abandoned since Vatican II explain this phenomenon. These authors include Alexander Tschugguel, Stefanie Lozinski, and Timothy and Stephanie Gordon. Some nuggest from inside:

“During this current crisis within the Church, anyone who is in favor of tradition is on the same side.” (Foreword)

“The future of the Church lies in her past.” (Introduction)

“If the officials do not give sound advice, and if priests live without fear of the Lord, it is no wonder that the entire community can become immoderate and coarse”: Counter-Reformation preaching

In keeping with recent developments in the ongoing attack on the Traditional Latin Mass and its adherents, it seems fitting to mention a new book just released by the admirable Arouca Press: The Christian Year, volume 1: Sermons for Advent, Christmas, & Epiphany, by Joseph Rivius, O.Praem., in a translation by Fr. Martin Roestenburg, O.Praem.

Who is Fr. Joseph Rivius? Well might you ask! Not a household name, Fr. Rivius was an admirable priest and a compelling preacher whose work deserves renewed attention in our day, for reasons that will become apparent. Born in 1607 during the final years of the Reformation, he entered the Norbertine abbey of Tongerlo abbey in Flanders. After his death in 1660, his bundle of sermons came to be published posthumously in 1668.

“Death Comes for the Cathedrals”: Proust's Masterful Essay Now Published as a Deluxe Hardcover

In keeping with recent news about Notre Dame Cathedral, it's worth mentioning a beautiful new title just released by the Catholic publisher Wiseblood Books: Death Comes for the Cathedrals.

The heart of this book is a translation of Marcel Proust's influential 1904 essay in Le Figaro that brilliantly argued, from a cultural and philosophical viewpoint, against the total secularization of churches in France, and led to less extreme measures being taken by the French anticlerical government. This eloquent translation by John Pepino made its first appearance here at Rorate Caeli on January 13, 2015.

Book Launches with Dr. Peter Kwasniewski in Warsaw and Krakow, November 25 and 26

When the Polish Ministry of Education invited me to attend a conference on classical liberal education in Warsaw on Tuesday, November 24 and to give there a lecture on the “American experiment” with the Great Books (especially at Thomas Aquinas College, the Pearson Integrated Humanities Program, and Wyoming Catholic College), it so happened that the trip coincided with the release of the Polish editions of two of my books in defense of the Traditional Latin Mass: Noble Beauty, Transcendent Holiness and Reclaiming Our Roman Catholic Birthright.

Traditionalist Publishing Renaissance (3): Angelico releases definitive book on Medjugorje, among other new titles

As Rorate has before featured announcements of new books from St. Augustine Academy Press and Arouca Press, so too we have mentioned the premiere traditionalist publisher in English, Angelico Press. The “Catholic Traditionalist Classics” series, for example, includes Fr. Bryan Houghton’s Mitre and Crook and Judith’s Marriage as well as Tito Casini’s The Torn Tunic. With many new titles having been released by Angelico in recent months, it is high time for a brief presentation of ten of them. Some of the following short reviews are in my own words and some are publisher descriptions (I will indicate which is which).

Traditionalist Publishing Renaissance (2): The Meteoric Rise of Arouca Press

Rorate has mentioned Arouca Press of Waterloo, Ontario, several times before. They brought back into print Cardinal Schuster’s work The Sacramentary, published Fr. Armand de Malleray’s short stories and X-Ray of the Priest, the collection Defending the Faith Against Present Heresies, Cardinal Bacci’s memoirs and meditations, a new edition of Billot’s critique of liberalism, an historical play about Pope Pius VI, a commentary on the Epistles of the traditional Mass, the collection of essays on the question of Are Canonizations Infallible?, and so forth.

"Near Missed Masses: Ten Short Stories Based on Actual Events" -- a new book by Fr. Armand de Malleray

“Can priests miss Mass? This little book light-heartedly depicts ten Holy Masses nearly missed by priests due to some opposition. From Kilimanjaro to Loch Ness, from Burma to Paris and more, the ten humorous short stories describe obstacles to the celebration of Holy Mass, thankfully overcome. The ten priests persevered, spurred by the conviction that Holy Mass: 1) honours God, whose extrinsic glory increases each time the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered; 2) helps souls through the temporal application of Christ’s saving merits that Holy Mass brings about; 3) fortifies priests, whose ontological raison d’être is to offer the divine Victim on the altar. Leaving aside theological arguments, Near Missed Masses entertainingly illustrates these truths through fiction.”

Praise for Near Missed Masses:

Sophia Press Announces Benedictus, a New Monthly Guide to the Traditional Latin Mass

Sophia Institute Press, which has been publishing so many good traditional Catholic books in recent years, has announced a major new initiative that should be of exceptional interest to all Catholics in the USA: Benedictus: The Traditional Catholic Companion. Think Magnificat, except keyed to the Tridentine Mass, making use of the Roman Breviary, and quoting from classic authors.

The dedicated website (www.praybenedictus.com) tells us what subscribers will find in each monthly booklet:

DAILY MASS COMPANION

Pray the Traditional Latin Mass, with the 1962 Missale Romanum presented in a clear and simple format. Continuous Latin and English text with reduced rubrics are included for Sundays (no page-jumping required), and complete Mass propers are offered in English for weekdays and feasts of each month.

MORNING AND EVENING DEVOTIONS

Enter the broader stream of Catholic liturgy with daily excerpts included from both Lauds and Vespers of the 1960 Breviarum Romanum, the official morning and evening hours of prayer used by traditional clergy and religious throughout the world. Excellent for family devotions, which, as a result, will synchronize better with the prayers and atmosphere of the traditional Latin Mass.

DAILY MEDITATIONS

Learn at the feet of Catholic spiritual masters each day, with devout meditations curated exclusively from saints and scholars who prayed and loved the traditional Mass, from the early Church to the early 1900s. Guaranteed to be free of soft modernism or fluffy pablum.

INFORMATIVE COMMENTARY

Dive deeper into our heritage of Faith through insightful mini-essays on the feasts and saints of the traditional calendar, as well as brief catecheses and ideas for extending a liturgical life into the home. Unlock the riches of Tradition like never before!

CLASSIC PRAYER COLLECTION

Several pages of superb Catholic prayers and chants, proven over generations of pious use. Some are offered in Latin as well as English, to further enable and enrich personal and communal prayer in the mother tongue of the Church.

BEAUTIFUL ARTWORK

Contemplate a masterpiece of religious art in every issue, rendered in stunning color and clarity. Thematic works are selected to suit each month, and print subscribers receive a separable holy card with every issue. No weird or goofy or trendy or faux-primitive modern art.

CATHOLIC CULTURE

Foster a vibrantly Catholic culture in your soul and in your family circle with monthly pages of edifying prose, poetry, or music. Enjoyable in themselves, the selections are made to help cultivate a thoroughly Catholic imagination. There should never be any opposition between the true, the good, and the beautiful, and Benedictus will demonstrate their unbreakable bond each month.

A sample issue is available at the Benedictus website.

Some might be wondering: Why have a monthly paperback when you can just buy a missal? And I agree, in the sense that a full 2,000-page missal is what everyone should end up with. But there are key advantages to a publication like this, which is not meant to rival a hand missal, but to complement it:

(1) For newbies: there are NO PAGE TURNS required with Benedictus. The whole Mass — full Ordinary and Propers in parallel Latin and English — is laid out, in order, FOR EACH SUNDAY. No bookmarks or ribbons necessary. For someone who is just getting into the TLM, or someone who might on a certain occasion prefer an easy-to-use book (e.g., a mother with small children to mind), or when you invite a friend or relative and want something to hand to them, this could be a life-saver.

(2) For training kids up to their big hand missal: no more fussing in the pews as five kids simultaneously try to figure out where the propers are... or give up and start daydreaming...

(3) For introducing the family to the Breviary (and warming up one's spouse to the prospect of eventually plunking down several hundred for a full Breviary!), or, as mentioned, for enriching home prayer time with chants and prayers, which will vary from month to month, following the traditional calendar.

(4) For liturgically-themed table readings at, or before, or after dinner, or at the time of the Rosary, etc. The commentary/reflections from classic authors in each issue of Benedictus will be one of its strongest features, because no hand missal will have this variety of sources, keyed to the traditional liturgical calendar as it unfolds year to year.

(5) As a daily devotional: one of the most promising aspects of Benedictus will be its fittingness as a daily devotional, filled with the contemplative insights of authors who drank deeply from the Church's ancient liturgical rites. Even the sample issue includes such standouts as Aquinas and De Montfort, Cyril and Thomas a Kempis, as well devotional writers that were household names just a few generations ago: Gueranger, Goffine, and Schuster.

To all the above: “Yes, please!”

 

The first issue is planned for August, shipping out in July. As can be well understood, a project of this ambitious magnitude can succeed only if there is a certain minimum number of subscribers to support its publication going forward. (Any subscription-based magazine or journal or newspaper faces similar constraints and demands.) I believe Sophia is looking to obtain 5,000 subscriptions to make it work. May this great enterprise of Benedictus meet with the success it deserves!

Moreover, generous bulk discounts are available for parishes, so it would be very worthwhile for groups of laity, families, clergy, religious, to get together and place a larger order. Sophia is shipping free bulk boxes of the March sample issue, in any quantity, to any church or chapel that asks, so email them (HERE) to request a crate for your own location. They will ship out at the end of February in order to arrive in time for the March week that the sample contains.

Visit the website for more information, to see a sample issue, to read the endorsements (Archbishop Viganò, Bishop Schneider, Bishop Strickland, Fr. James Jackson, FSSP, Fr. Armand de Malleray, FSSP, Canon Matthew Talarico, ICKSP, and Michael Matt), or, most importantly, to SUBSCRIBE.

Those who subscribe now will receive a free copy of my new book The Holy Bread of Eternal Life: Restoring Eucharistic Reverence in an Age of Impiety.

(Note: At this time, Benedictus is being distributed in the United States, but Sophia is looking into the possibility of international subscriptions.)

(For the sake of full disclosure: I am not an employee of the team that is producing Benedictus, but I enthusiastically support what they are doing. Moreover, Rorate Caeli is not affiliated with Benedictus and receives no financial compensation for this or any other promotion of it.)