With the kind permission of Bishop Toal, we are looking forward to hosting another Mass at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Carfin.
Please spread the word and join us for this beautiful liturgy.
Carfin Feedback
We have received so much positive feedback from those who attended our Mass at Carfin Grotto. From well seasoned regulars to those who experienced the Extraordinary Form for the first time, the overwhelming impression was how beautiful the liturgy is and a desire that it be made available for all.
Many people had a very profound encounter with the Lord through the Mass, some moved to tears. The following comments are just a few that we have gathered and wanted to share.
I was blown away by the Mass on Friday night. I found that instead of everything being read out loud, the silence and the stunning music helped me to pray more deeply. I followed the prayers on my phone and just soaked it all in. It was amazing.
I noticed that there wasn’t a stereotype of the ‘kind’ of people who attended this beautiful Mass. It was just normal people who love their faith. It was lovely to see so many other young people who are into their faith too.
“It was a first time for me at Carfin Grotto and what a great introduction it was! I’m glad I was part of the choir so I wasn’t kneeling on the gravel, I must say! But what a fantastic way to defrost Church life after such a long and tedious time. Beautiful music, awesome liturgy and marvellous people, more of these events are needed!”
“I discovered the Indult Mass, as it was then known, when I was 18 years old. I was immediately enthralled by its sense of mystery and reverence and began to attend regularly and to serve at Mass. I never expected that I would ever be able to celebrate it as a priest, but thanks to the pastoral sensitivity and wisdom of Pope Benedict XVI, not only do I have the joy of celebrating this form of the Mass which had nourished me greatly, but I have seen how it has enriched the spiritual lives of other Catholics, both young and old, too. A plant can only bear fruit in so far as it is nourished by its roots; the celebration of the Extraordinary Form has put me – and countless others – in touch with their spiritual roots which run deep in the soil of centuries of Tradition, and it is little wonder that much fruit has been borne for the Church as a result. To quote Pope Benedict, ‘What earlier generations held as sacred remains sacred and great for us too.’ Over the years, I have discovered the truth of that proposition for myself. How could it be otherwise?”
“The provision of confessions, five priests hearing them for a solid hour united with the Missa Cantata; it was the Divine Mercy of the Sacred Heart made manifest on the holy altar and in the sacred tribunal. I look forward to this being a regular Mass at the National Shrine”
I started going to Latin mass less than a year ago. If the liturgy is still new for me, I really enjoyed the mass at Carfin for its beauty and profoundness.
I have been attending Holy Mass in the Extraordinary Form for a few years now, but each time I am struck anew by the beauty of this ancient form of the liturgy. It is full of mystery and yet so familiar; rich in tradition and symbolism and yet at its centre is a humble God who comes to us in the form of bread and wine. This is a liturgy that draws us in and stands counter to the world.
I am sure I won’t be alone in saying that at Carfin Grotto, under the gaze of Our Lady of Lourdes, and surrounded by statues of the great Saints of our Faith who were shaped by this form of the liturgy, we were given a small glimpse into Heaven by the Heart that has so loved men.
“It is heartening that the Catholic faithful in Scotland are able to experience and participate fully and more readily in the ‘Mass of Ages’ . The Votive Mass of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus at Scotland’s National Marian Shrine, Carfin, was simply beautiful – everything from the reverence of the mass to the angelic voices of Schola Una Voce. It was encouraging to see many new and young faces at the celebration of Holy Mass, and to hear just how positively it was received across the spectrum of age groups.
I was privileged to sing with the Una Voce Schola at the Carfin Mass. I felt blessed to be able to assist at Mass through singing the beautiful music. After a year where Mass has been restricted, it was a real gift to attend a Mass in such a peaceful and beautiful setting, with so many other young people in attendance. It was particularly special to attend a Mass in the Extraordinary Form at Carfin, as I felt joined in prayer with the saints whose relics are situated there, because I assisted at Mass in the form these saints would have known.
“A beautiful mass on a beautiful evening. The congregation highlighted the diversity of the Catholic population, coming together as one to worship using the universal language of the Church. More please!”
I had never seen a mass like it. I thought it was so beautiful!
I haven’t been to a TLM since the 1960s, the sense of awe and reverence was tangible. A big ‘well done’ to all concerned, I was truly privileged just to be there ☺️
The whole event was wonderful, lovely Priests hearing Confessions, Rosary, then beautiful Mass, and so many young people 💕🙏Thank you to all who organised.
It is a beautiful mass. As Fr Grant passed the crowds with the Blessed Sacrament and the crowds began to kneel in waves, on stones, grass and pavements , it was very moving to witness such love and reverence . I explained to my boys this is how we (my siblings and I) were raised in our faith, I hope this returns in our youth 🙏
it was beautiful and I too was impressed with the amount of young folk ❤️🙏🏼
I can honestly say I’ve never seen as many young people at a Mass in Scotland as I did tonight at the Latin Mass at Carfin Grotto. The fact that on a warm Friday night so many choose to come and participate in a Mass speaks volumes.
We have the tools before us for the renewal of the faith, I believe Summorum Pontificum was prompted by the Spirit and its fruits are evident. The dignity, the prayerful silence, the beautiful Schola. Heaven felt like it was in our grasps tonight, we only need to reach out our hands. Do not be afraid!
Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. And different. Viva le difference 🙏
I thought it was beautiful and I was privileged to be able to take part , Thanks Ryan I loved the reverence for the Eucharist also 🙏
I haven’t been to a TLM since the 1960s, the sense of awe and reverence was tangible. A big ‘well done’ to all concerned, I was truly privileged just to be there ☺️
The sung mass is so beautiful we have this every Sunday, well done Carfin Grotto for giving people the opportunity to experience this.
Was such a lovely Mass, so glad I went along to it. Even managed to drag my hubby along as well(a lapsed Catholic) and he found the whole thing quite moving. Had never been to anything like that before. The prayers, music, so spiritual and uplifting and reverent. And to receive Holy Communion on the tongue on the kneeler, so moving. Wish our Churches would bring back Alter Rails. Thank you Fathers and all involved in this beautiful Mass.
I was transported back to childhood days, when Mass was always celebrated in this way! The ground beneath me was rough and rocky, but I knelt out of reverence for the Blessed Sacrament and didn’t feel a thing! I also loved kneeling to receive Jesus on my tongue, Oh how I wish we could always receive that way. Copious tears flowed at the beauty of the Schola singing Anima Christi just wonderful. Please God this could be a regular occurrence? God bless all the priests hearing confessions before Mass, and thank you to ALL who made this evening such a special occasion!
So Devotional & Reminded Me Of when I was Taken to Mass with The Cathedral school &. Mass was Said in Latin & we Children all knelt at the Altar Rails To receive The HOLY EUCHARIST & Wish it was still like That . Thank you So Much Father & All Who Made this worship Possible
My husband was so moved he knelt on the stones …… it was divine ..🕊🍃
Canon Taylor must have been smiling 🌹
Our lady of Lourdes pray for us 🌹
Saint Therese pray for us 🌹
Thank you to all who organised this beautiful Mass, all at Una Voce, The lovely Priests hearing Confessions, and Fr Grant for holding it at the lovely Shrine at Carfin, it was a special evening, that I will never forget. 💕🙏
Beautiful holy mass, choir were fantastic !!
Beautiful and so Spiritual,feeling very blessed. Thankyou all. God bless you 🙏
I watched online, was beautiful, thank you Una Voce Scotland for all you do to bring us this beautiful Mass, God Bless all involved 🙏❤️
When is the next one? Need to organise in advance for diary. Well done.
Just to say a huge thank you for tonight, it was amazing, as a 16 year old I thoroughly enjoyed the mass. Yous are doing such a fantastic job. Also your music was excellent.
It was genuinely refreshing to see such reverence and that many youth in the Grotto. The queue for the confessions with 5 priests was quite astonishing with one asking me, is that the queue to get in? No! That’s the confession queue! The silence and prayerfulness of the Mass was really moving added to by the wonderful schola. The most moving moment for me personally was at the end when Fr Grant was taking the Blessed Sacrament up to the church. Instinctively an entire crowd of people fell to their knees as he walked by. This is something I hardly see anymore and it gave me real hope that there are people who believe still in the Real Presence.
The prayers are beautiful, as are the Gregorian chants. It’s very reverent and a deep connection is there between man and God
The thing that attracts me to a Latin mass is the beauty, but also the mystery. It’s a mysterious service. As someone who knows some, but hasn’t quite mastered all of Latin, it’s totally different to see it.
The evening was organised by ‘Una Voce Scotland’ which is an organisation dedicated to promoting the traditional Latin Mass in Scotland. This is a growing movement. What was very fascinating and positive was the amount of young people in attendance. The stereotype is that only old people attend mass but that isn’t true, given the dedicated and passionate followers who are youngsters, who are the future of the Church. They’ve grown up in a world of sin, depravity and immorality and saw that it’s time to have a Church which is consistent in standing against all of that.
I felt a very close and emotional connection to Jesus Christ. Not that I wouldn’t normally when attending an English mass, but the Latin mass just goes that one step further. It puts so much preparation into the devotion of Our Lord, and it truly is a magnificent sight.
Even uninterested semi-agnostic young people, will be more attracted to authentic Catholicism than watered down… Catholicism. If the Church took a conservative approach of reverting back to tradition and making these masses more commonplace, I think many more would be interested.
The Extraordinary Form is ‘about connecting directly with God. Hence why the Priest has his back to the congregation. The only part of the mass where we saw the Priest’s face, and where he spoke English was the sermon. A sermon is aimed to the people, prayers are for God.’
The minute the procession of Priests and deacons came around, I knew it would be a mass unlike anything I’d ever witnessed. I have watched Latin masses via YouTube… However, until Friday evening I had never actually attended one in person. There was a lot of small whispers from the Priest, as well as chants from the choir in the glass chapel. Less interaction with the congregation and although some might disagree with this doctrine, it’s right. My brother and I are used to English masses, we stood in awe at the beauty of what we witnessed. A new experience, one to remember and repeat again.
Sancta Familia also captured reactions from the faithful after the Mass.
UVS Promotional Video
Dear Members And Friends,
I am delighted to share our new promotional video, which has been expertly produced by Sancta Familia Media. This is a significant step in our work of promoting the Extraordinary Form across Scotland.
Now it’s over to you! Please share this widely to encourage others to discover the beauty and depth of the Traditional Latin Mass.
Please also spread the word about our Mass at Carfin Grotto. Having a Mass at a national shrine will provide the ideal opportunity for people to discover the Usus Antiquior in a familiar setting. Our “save the date” poster can be found here and more details will follow soon.
Yours
In Domino
Fraser Pearce
Chairman
Statement: Immaculate Heart Parish, Glasgow
Gregorius Magnus Feature
The latest edition of Gregorius Magnus, the magazine of our parent association FIUV (International Federation Una Voce), has been published.
Scroll to page 28 for a feature from Una Voce Scotland!
Kathleen Fraser RIP
We are saddened to inform our members and friends of the death of Kathleen Fraser. She died on Thursday 12th November, surrounded by her family. Kathleen was a Life Member of UVS and the widow of the late Hamish Fraser, also a member of UVS and a great promoter of Traditional Catholicism.
Please remember Kathleen in your prayers, along with Hamish and all the deceased members of UVS.
Communion in the Hand and Epidemic: FIUV Press Release
A press release from the FIUV. PDF version here.
Foederatio Internationalis Una Voce
Quae patronum invocat sanctum Gregorium Magnum Papam.
Press Release: Communion on the Tongue and Epidemic
In light of the recent statement (and here) by Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi of Mobile, Alabama, in the United States of America, on social distancing during the reception of Holy Communion, and related issues surrounding the reception of Holy Communion around the world in the context of the Coronavirus epidemic, the Foederatio Internationalis Una Voce (FIUV) would like to make the following observations.
- In the Ordinary Form, the universal law of the Church gives every Catholic the right to receive on the tongue. This was reaffirmed by the Congregation of Divine Worship in the context of earlier public health concerns, the so-called ‘Swine flu’ epidemic of 2009. (See for exampleRedemptionisSacramentum(2004) 92; Letter of the Congregation of Divine Worship 24th July 2009, Prot. N. 655/09/L.)
- In the Extraordinary Form, the universal law of the Church allows for the reception of Holy Communion only on the tongue. (SeeUniversaeEcclesiae(2011) 28; MemorialeDomini (1969).)
- In neither case can the law of the Church be set aside by the Ordinary.
- The problem of maintaining physical distance between Minister and Communicant during the Reception of Holy Communion applies equally to Reception in the Hand as to Reception on the Tongue. In both cases Minister and Communicant are obliged to come close to each other, if only for a short time, and without touching. It is difficult to see how even the use of an instrument such as a pair of tongs (for which there are historical precedents) would enable Minister and Communicant to maintain a distance of six feet or two meters.
- Canon law is rightly very restrictive in the penalties which bishops can impose on their priests for the breach of regulations of their own devising. Bishop Rodi’s attempt to prohibit priests who do not obey his regulations to celebrate public Masses—something which amounts to a partial suspension of a priest—goes beyond what Canon law would appear to justify. (SeeCanons1316-1319).
- It has become increasingly evident that there is no clear scientific basis for the claim that Reception on the Tongue is more likely to transmit the Coronavirus than Reception in the Hand. This has been the expert advice given toArchbishop Sample of Portland, Oregon, USA, and toArchbishop José Antonio Eguren, of Piura, Peru, and it is also the view of the experts involved in the guidelines of the Thomistic Institute of Washington, DC, in the USA. If any bishops around the world are in possession of studies or expert opinions in conflict with this growing consensus, it behooves them to make these public as a matter of urgency.
- Where local circumstances demand it, the suspension of the Reception of Holy Communion, of the celebration of Masses open to the public, and even the opening of churches for private prayer, have been ordered by bishops and public authorities. These measures are at least even-handed and, insofar as they are justified by genuine public health concerns, do not infringe the rights of the Faithful. As these measures are gradually lifted around the world, we urge bishops to continue to act in accordance with expert advice, not arbitrarily picking out certain priests and faithful for greater restrictions than those imposed on others, and with respect for the rights of the Faithful.
The President and Officers of the Foederatio Internationalis Una Voce, 8th June 2020
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ABOUT THE FOEDERATIO INTERNATIONALIS UNA VOCE (FIUV)
The FIUV represents the needs and concerns of the world-wide laity attached to the ancient Latin liturgical tradition, the Extraordinary Form. It has more than 45 member associations from Europe, North and South America, Africa, and Asia.
The Federation has a biennial General Assembly in Rome, and publishes a magazine twice a year, Gregorius Magnus.
CONTACT DETAILS
Website: www.fiuv.org
President, Felipe Alanís Suarez: president@fiuv.org
Secretary, Dr Joseph Shaw: secretary@fiuv.org
Treasurer, Monika Rheinschmitt: treasurer@fiuv.org
Traditional Formula for Holy Communion Outside of Mass
Dear Members and Friends,
Although this evening saw the last public Masses for the time being in Scotland, current advice from several Bishops is that Holy Communion may still be administered upon the request of the faithful.
We have prepared PDFs of the formula for administering Holy Communion outside of Mass in the Traditional Rite. It should be noted that Holy Communion in the Old Rite can only be received kneeling and on the tongue. This is still permitted in some of the Scottish Dioceses.
- Click here to download a PDF including the rubrics for priests (2pp, A4)
- Click here to download a PDF for servers or communicants (2pp, A4)
- Click here to download a PDF for servers or communicants, which can be cut to A5 size.
Please make these sheets available to priests with whom you are in contact, or print it out and take it to a priest if you wish to receive Holy Communion in the Traditional Rite.
I assure you of my daily prayers as Chairman for all our members, friends and priests who offer the Traditional Rites for us.
In Domino,
Fraser Pearce
Chairman
Sung Compline on the Feast of the Epiphany
The Traditional Mass – An Introductory Post
THE TRADITIONAL MASS
The Traditional Latin Mass has been celebrated in a relatively unchanged form throughout nearly all of the Church’s history and it is this Mass which Father Frederick Faber once described as “the most beautiful thing this side of heaven”. Although the Mass has, at various times, incurred minor modifications to its liturgy, notably in 1570 and 1962, Pope Paul VI promulgated a new missal in 1969, which came into effect in 1970. This new rite of Mass was radically different from the traditional Latin Mass which preceded it. Between 1970 and 1984 the Vatican restricted the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass. In October 1984, following the issue of the indult Quattuor Abhinc Annos from Pope John Paul II, permission to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass became at the discretion of the local bishop. In July 1988 Pope John Paul II issued the motu proprio Ecclesia Dei Adflicta which, among other things, required that respect be shown for the feelings of all those who are attached to the Latin liturgical tradition. The status of the Traditional Latin Mass changed again on 14 September 2007 as a result of Pope Benedict XVI’s motu proprio Summorum Pontificum.
From the Catechism of Saint Robert Bellarmine:-
The Mass is a compendium of the whole life of Christ!
- The Introit of the Mass signifies the desire which the Holy Fathers had for the coming of Christ.
- The Kyrie eleison signifies the words of these Patriarchs and Prophets who sought from God the desired coming of the Messiah at such a time.
- The Gloria in excelsis means the Lord’s Birth.
- The subsequent Oratio or Collect signifies His presentation and offering in the Temple.
- The Epistle, customarily said at the left side of the altar (right to us) signifies the preaching of St. John the Baptist, inviting men to Christ.
- The Gradual, or response to the Epistle, signifies the Life arising from the preaching of St. John.
- The Gospel, customarily read at the right side of the altar (our left), signifies the preaching of Our Lord whereby we move from the left to the right, ie. from temporal things to eternal ones, and from sin to grace, where the Lights are carried and the incense is enkindled and the Holy Gospel illumines the whole world, and it was filled with the sweet odour of Divine glory.
- The Creed signifies the conversion of the Holy Apostles and of the other disciples of Christ.
- The Secret, which immediately follows the Creed, signifies the secret plots of the Jews against Christ.
- The Preface, sung in a high voice, customarily ends with the Hosanna in excelsis, and it signifies the solemn entry of Christ into Jerusalem which He made on Palm Sunday. The Canon which comes after the Preface, represents the Passion of our Lord.
- The Elevation of the host teaches that Christ was Lifted up on the Cross.
- The Paternoster, the prayer of Christ hanging on the cross.
- The fraction of the Host shows the wound that was made upon Him by the lance.
- The Angus Dei signifies the weeping of Mary when Christ was taken down from the cross.
- The Communion of the priest signifies the burial of Christ.
- The chant which follows with great joy shows the Lord’s Resurrection.
- The Ite Missa est, signifies the Ascension.
- The Final Blessing of the priest relates the coming of the Holy Spirit.
- The Last Gospel that is read at the end of Mass, signifies the preaching of the Holy Apostles when, filled with the Holy Spirit, they began to preach the Gospel through the whole world, and began the conversion of the nations.
