Una Voce SA

Deepening Respect for the Eucharist and The Eucharistic Sacrifice

2011-03-03T09:58:00.010+02:00

In his Chrism Mass sermon of 2009 (find in here) His Grace Archbishop Buti Thlagale called on the faithful of the Archdiocese to deepen respect and reverence for the Eucharist and the Eucharistic sacrifice.

The re-introduction of the Extra-ordinary form at the Cathedral provides a continuous living sermon on these important themes. As his Grace points out “External gestures help to condition our internal spiritual attitude towards the Holy.”

It may be instructive to highlight a number of His Grace’s points (they follow in italics) and illustrate how the Extra-ordinary Form gives special expression to these.

Altar rails that have been dismantled, thus we no longer kneel when receiving the ‘Body of Christ’.

The altar rails are used during the Extra-ordinary form as this is the norm. Altar rail coverings have been introduced and the faithful encouraged to place their hands under these cloths. Communion is always distributed using the communion plate to prevent the loss of any the smallest particle of the Sacred Host.

Many no longer genuflect, not even a bow that acknowledges the presence of Christ in the tabernacle.

During the Extra-ordinary form the priest and servers perform numerous genuflections. For example, during the Solemn mass (after the consecration) the celebrant and master of ceremonies genuflect whenever the chalice is uncovered. The servers genuflect whenever they cross in front of the altar and all genuflect during the consecration and elevation of the Sacred Species.

All genuflect both during the Creed and the last gospel when “Et incarnatus est” is said.

These genuflections assist the faithful in realizing the sacred nature of the Eucharistic Sacrifice.

We have abandoned silence and a prayerful atmosphere in the church.

The aspect of the Extra-ordinary form most commented on by the faithful is that they feel they have time to pray when the Extra-ordinary form is celebrated.

Formational materials for the Extra-ordinary form have emphasised the importance of Holy water as a sacramental and its role in preparing us for Mass when we make the sign of the cross while entering the church.

The law of the Eucharistic fast is also mentioned in all formational materials as is the need for the communicant to be in a state of grace.

It would be ideal if priests could once more pray while they vest in the sacristy. This practice would reinforce the culture of silence and a proper preparation for Holy Mass.

As this is mandated in the Extra-ordinary form the priest has to do this. We have noted that this has indeed reinforced a culture of silence and proper preparation, even in an extremely busy sacristy such as the Cathedral’s.

It is most edifying to see the priest praying with altar-servers in the sacristy before and after Mass. Silence in the sacristy is also conductive to an atmosphere of prayer. Such a practice stays with the altar-servers long after they have graduated from the sacristy. Some sacristies regrettably are like a market place. No prayers are said.

Of their own initiative the servers began prayers before and after Mass in the Extra-ordinary form. This is done every Sunday on which the mass is celebrated with all 11 servers participating.

It would equally be ideal to restore for the lay faithful, prayers before the Mass and prayers of thanksgiving after Mass. Such exercises would help us to focus on the “real presence” of Christ who has been received during Mass.

While this has not yet proved possible, the Extra-ordinary Rite does provide ample time for the faithful to silently prepare themselves for communion while the priest is saying his preparatory prayers and to make a thanksgiving while the rest of the faithful receive.

Faithful used to making a traditional thanksgiving i.e, prayers of Adoration, Contition Thanksgiving and Petition report that they have ample time to do this during the communion and the ablutions.

The pew missalettes contain a number of prayers for the faithful to say both in preparation and thanksgiving. This has proved slightly problematic as the faithful are so happy with these prayers that Fr. Shaun is asked if they can take a missalettes home to be able to use these prayers. While this is wonderful, it does mean that we constantly need to print more missalettes.

The Golden Jubilee of the Cathedral of Christ the King: The preparations

2011-01-16T15:29:00.027+02:00

Regular readers will recall that the big event for us in 2010 was the 5oth Annivesary of the Consecration of the Cathedral.

This is the first in a series of three posts dedicated to the event.

Part 1: The preparations

Tomorrow is the big day. When you smallest action can make a difference you better pray!!

Thurifer gets into the swing of things.

Some altar boys move faster than light.

Jube Domne Benedicere and a few last minute instructions

Fr. Shaun commissioned some beautiful new cloths for the Altar rail.

Constance Kayombo, Sacristan, gives the flowers one last look over.

Not quite the orginal six giant brass candlesticks commissioned for the anniversary. Of the original six only three are left. Our fondest wish to have the missing three candlesticks re-cast.

While last minute rehearsals are going on in the Cathedral and preparations are taking place

in the sacristy .... the ladies tackle the hall for the luncheon

When you have dozens of tables to prepare even the smallest pair of hands can help lighten the load.

As the luncheon was a fund-raiser we needed lots of prizes.

The cakes have arrived!! The cakes have arrived!!!

Dozens of cakes were baked for the luncheon after the mass.

Each cake had a picture of the Cathedral on it.

Folding hundreds of Proper sheets requires quite a few hands.

Thank You, Una Voce Orange County without your on-line propers we wouldn't know what to do.

Many thanks to all for your hard work.

Photo Credits: (as usual) Catherine Cordeiro

TLM in the presence of the Relics of St Therese of Lisieux

2011-01-16T11:21:00.011+02:00

On the Saturday morning (of the 9th July 2010) prior to the all-night Vigil in the presence of the Relics of St Therese a Traditional Latin Mass was celebrated.

The Relics in front of the Altar

Fr. Shaun Mary von Lillienfeld preaching on the virtues of St. Therese

The Canon of the Mass

Young and old attended Mass on a cold Winter's morning

Wishing you a Blessed and Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

2011-01-16T11:13:00.001+02:00

You will see that I have got quite a few new articles up on the blog that cover the last six months of the year.

The TLM at the cathedral continues to grow under the guidance of Fr. Shaun Von Lillienfeld.

Our biggest challenge in the last half of 2010 was preparing a large cadre of servers to be able to serve the Missa Cantata in the more solemn form.

The hectic training schedule has meant that I have had little time to dedicate to the blog and efforts to promote the Mass other than at the cathedral.

The one disappointment of 2010 has been the difficulty of organizing masses in locations other than the three locations (Jhb, PE and Lamberts Bay) that we started 2010 with.

In 2011 we are hoping, on a country-wide basis, to increase the general awareness of the TLM both among the clergy and the laity.

It is my hope that this will lay a foundation, that in subsequent years, will lead to us having the TLM offered in more locations.

A number of projects are being planned for 2011 and I am hoping that everyone who supports the TLM will help us to ensure the success of these initiatives.

God Bless and all the best for 2011.

Photos for the Pope - Mass July 29th

2010-11-24T08:38:00.017+02:00

"Let my prayer be directed as incense in Thy sight; the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice." (Ps. 140).

In July, Leo Darroch (President of Una Voce) asked us to take some photos that could be included in the annual report that Una Voce submits to the Vatican and that is handed to the Holy Father.

Leo informed me that he had used some pictures from this blog for the 2009 report and that these were well received by the staff in the various departments of the Vatican.

A few of the 2010 photos below.

Prayers at the foot of the Altar

Incensation of the faithful.

Elevation of the Host

A packed Cathedral, part of the crowd of up to 1200 people who attend Sunday Mass.

With between 600 and 1200 people receiving Communion at the Mass we have additional priests to assist with the distribution of Holy Communion.

Clergy, Servers, Choir Director/organist and a soloist

The judicious application of a surplice turns a server's red garment from the Ordinary Form into a cassock for the Extraordinary Form. The idea of our sacristan, Constance Kayombo.

We have many needs to allow us to celebrate the TLM in the most fitting way possible. Please consider helping us.

Photo Credits: Catherine Cordeiro

Some additional photos here.

Mea Culpa!!

2010-08-26T14:42:00.003+02:00

I was a bit shocked when I realised that I had last posted news on this blog in February.

The reason for this is not that nothing is happening with the TLM in SA but that I have been so busy working to make things happen that I haven't had time to update the readers. I am going to try and catch up over the next week or so.

One postive development that has kept me very busy has been a change in the mass schedule at the Cathedral of Christ the King. Sunday Mass has now been moved to the last Sunday of every month at 9:30am. This is the Cathedral's main Sunday Mass with anything between 600 and a 1000 mass goers.

Fr. Sean von Lillienfeld is celebrating the Missa Cantata in the more solemn form. That means I have been busily training thurifers, acolytes and torch bearers.

But training is not all we have been doing. Over 500 missalettes have had to be printed and instructional material written, printed and collated.

We are also lucky to have the Cathedral choir singing at all these masses.

Pictures of the Mass to follow in a subsequent report.

Sung Mass for Candlemas in Port Elizabeth

2010-02-08T12:26:00.002+02:00

On 2 February, the feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (as the day is known in the traditional, 1962 calendar), or Candlemas, a Sung Mass in the Extraordinary Form was offered by Father Gregory Mitchell, CO, of the Port Elizabeth Oratory, at St Bernadette's Church in 8th Avenue, Walmer.

This was the first occasion that a Sung Mass, as opposed to a Low Mass, was offered in the traditional rite, in a diocesan parish in Port Elizabeth, since the issue in 2007 of the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum.

The Mass was offered at the parish's usual 5:30pm Mass time, and was attended by between 30 and 40 people, mainly parishioners of St Bernadette's, but also a few from further afield.

The ceremonial of the Candlemas blessing of candles and procession was followed completely (as completely as possible in the absence of deacon and subdeacon). The small schola consisting of two accomplished adult men, rendered Missa de Angelis, as well as all the Propers very professionally indeed. Members of the congregation also joined in the singing of the Ordinary and the responses.

Grateful thanks must be given to the Oratory Fathers, and in particular Fr Gregory, for this Mass, as well as the faithful server and schola, for a moving experience. We hope and pray that this will be only the first of many such sung, and eventually High, Masses, offered in the Extraordinary Form in Port Elizabeth, and that the people exposed to the traditional Mass for the first time, or the first time in many years, will be encouraged to attend these Masses regularly.

Another step forward for the implementation of Summorum Pontificum!

News concerning Mass in Pta

2010-02-07T00:07:00.004+02:00

The following is the text of an e-mail I sent to those on the Una Voce mailing list this afternoon (6th February 2010)

It has come to my attention through our Pretoria Co-ordinator that the Mass being offered on Sunday (7th February) in Pretoria will include the option for the faithful to receive communion in the hand and will also include the use of the new lectionary rather than the readings proper to the 1962 Missal i.e The Traditional Latin Mass.

It is the policy of International Federation Una Voce and Una Voce SA to only offer official support to those masses that respect the full integrity of the Traditional Latin Mass. Our mission is the promotion of the Traditional Latin Mass and therefore we cannot dedicate our resources to support other efforts or initiatives.

It is my personal conviction that if the Traditional Latin Mass is not to be offered in its full integrity it is wiser to offer the New Mass (Mass of Paul VI, Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite) in Latin, facing the Altar, with Gregorian Chant all of which are allowable and salutary practices within the Ordinary Rite.

I personally apologise that you are being informed of this at the last minute. Unfortunately, it was not possible for me to meet Msgr. Hill in person, and also our Pretoria co-ordinator, Mr. Jacques Carbonell, was incapacitated this last month and was only made aware of the abovementioned this afternoon.

I can assure you that in future I willl personally investigate all the circumstances around a particular Mass prior to publicising it under the auspices of Una Voce SA.

Should you have any questions and queries feel free to e-mail me.

Once again my apologies.

Kindly keep Una Voce SA and our (often difficult) mission in your prayers.

Traditional Latin Mass heading to Pretoria

2010-01-09T10:33:00.005+02:00

Una Voce SA is pleased to announce that our Pretoria group has been hard at work organising a Traditional Latin Mass in Pretoria.

A number of priests are interested in saying the mass and our Pretoria group are now finalising the location. We hope to start in February.

To be able to do this we need your help in the following ways:

In order to keep people in the Pretoria area informed we are building an e-mailing list of people who would like to attend the Pretoria TLM . If you are in the Pretoria area or would travel to Pretoria and are interested please send me an e-mail at unavocesa@gmail.com and put "Pretoria" in the subject line.

Servers: would you like to serve the TLM? We are looking for a number of male servers of any age.

Choir: If you are a choir member or a choir leader you or your choir may want to sing at a TLM. Please contact us as it would be wonderful to have a choir to sing both chant and polyphony.

Publicity: spread the news to friends and family. Some may want to be on our e-mail list, please send us their details.

Please feel free to contact the Pretoria organiser:
Mr Jacques Carbonell 082-443-9706

Mass times Jhb

2009-11-17T15:35:00.003+02:00

Please check the updates to the calendar in the sidebar.

The 21st December is Fr. Shaun von Lillienfeld's birthday so please try and attend the mass if you can.

Catching up: Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

2009-11-12T13:49:00.004+02:00

On the 16th July 2009, in the prescence of this statue of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel nearly forty faithful from the Cathedral had the Brown Scapular imposed and were duly enrolled in the Confraternity of the Scapular.

The ceremony followed after the Traditonal Latin Mass.

“There is no-one who is not aware how greatly love for the Blessed Virgin, the Mother of God, contributes towards the reanimation of the faith and the reformation of morals, especially by its exterior forms of devotion … [W]e must place the Scapular of Mount Carmel in the first rank of these Marian devotions; by its simplicity, which is adapted to the minds of all, it has achieved the greatest diffusion amongst the faithful, producing great fruits of salvation … Given that this pious and noble project [of celebrating solemnly the Centenary] concerns our faithful love of the Holy Mother of God, as well as our own membership of the Confraternity of the Scapular, to which we have belonged since childhood, we can only recommend it warmly, and wish it the riches of the most abundant Divine blessings. For not with a light or passing matter are we here concerned, but with the obtaining of eternal life itself, which is the substance of that promise of the Most Blessed Virgin that has been handed down to us. We are concerned, namely, with that which is of supreme importance to all and with the manner of achieving it safely. For the Holy Scapular, which may be called the Habit or Garment of Mary, is a Sign and a Pledge of the protection of the Mother of God.”

Pope Pius XII, Letter "Neminem profecto" of 11 February 1950 to mark the 7th centenary of the scapular in 1951.

All Her feasts, her actions worship ....

2009-08-14T08:26:00.006+02:00

On the 27th June 2009 we had a procession in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. A small icon of Our Lady was carried around the Cathedral to give public witness to our love for the Blessed Mother and to thank Her for accepting our petitions.

"Lost in wond'ring contemplation be her majesty confessed, call her Mother, Call her Virgin, happy Mother, Virgin blest."

"She is mighty to deliver; call her, trust her lovingly. When the tempest rages round thee she will calm the troubled sea"
A box for petitions was provided and many eager petitioners approached their heavenly Mother and Queen.

We look forward to many more opportunities to honour Our Lady asd beg her intercession.

30 days hath .....

2009-08-14T08:16:00.002+02:00

Yep, it is one of those months were we have a first and a fifth Sunday. That means that we will be having a TLM on the fifth Sunday in August. Mass will be at 11:30am as usual on the 30th.

One of the restrictions on having a regular Sunday Mass at the Cathedral is that Mass is held for the different communities at 11:30 on the second, third and fourth Sundays. That means we only have the first Sunday available for the TLM. So when we have a fifth Sunday we are able to fit in an extra TLM. Deo Gratias.

Christ The King Mass Schedule - August

2009-07-29T16:18:00.004+02:00

The Traditional Latin Mass will take place as usual at 11:30am on 2nd August 2009.

On the Feast of the Assumption (Saturday, August 15th) there will be no Traditional Latin Mass at 7:30am. The Traditional Latin Mass will be at 10:00. The Feast of the Assumption is a Holy Day of Obligation in SA.

There are no other changes of schedule.

Two other important feasts fall on Saturdays in August. St Jean Vianney's feastday is on August 8th and The Immaculate Heart of Mary on August 22nd. The Traditional Latin Mass will be celebrated at the usual Saturday time(7:30am) on both these days.

As there is a fifth Sunday in August it is possible that we will have a second Traditional Latin Mass in the month. I will keep you posted.

JHB Mass Schedule: No TLM Mass on Tuesday 9th and Thursday 11th

2009-06-07T20:52:00.003+02:00

Fr. Shaun will be out of town next week and therefore the TLM Masses on:

Tuesday 9th

and

Thursday 11th

are cancelled.

This also means our small Corpus Christi procession (on the 11th)will not take place this year.

Christ the King Mass Schedule

2009-05-01T08:30:00.000+02:00

Please note the following changes to the schedule of TL masses.

Friday: May 1st: Mass of St Joseph the Worker 10:00am
Sunday: May 3rd: Mass at 12:00 (note later start time due to vocations day at Christ the King)

No mass on Saturday 2nd due to Archdiocesan picnic.

PE Mass schedule notice

2009-04-21T13:58:00.002+02:00

Please note that Fr Gregory Mitchell will be out of town for several days and there will therefore not be Traditional Masses at St Bernadette's on Thursday 23 April, or Thursday 30 April, as would normally have been the case. The Thursday lunch hour Mass should resume the first week in May.

Progress in PE

2009-04-09T15:42:00.002+02:00

Port Elizabeth has been blessed with a second Priest offering the Traditional Latin Mass, in Father Gregory Mitchell, CO, of the recently canonically established Port Elizabeth Oratory of St Phillip Neri, at St Bernadette's Church, Walmer.

Father Gregory, who was ordained in January, has offered private Traditional Masses on most Thursdays at 1:10pm, and occasional private Masses on Sunday. However, the Thursday Masses seem now to have become regular, and all are welcome!

It is hoped that other public Masses will be added, and that this will become a regular and stable feature of the life of this active and devoted parish. The Oratorians have been particularly supportive and sympathetic, and we hope the Traditional Mass will find a permanent home in their lovely Church, in addition to St Vincent's.

A regular Sunday Mass though does depend on response, as the Fathers are anxious to comply with the wishes of the bishop. The good response to unadvertised Masses, however, bodes well for this intention in the future.

Please say a prayer for this fine young Priest!

Introibo ad altare Dei, Two new TLM servers go to the Altar

2009-03-27T10:43:00.018+02:00

The 19th March was a special day at the Cathedral of Christ the King. Two boys from the parish community of the Cathderal served the Traditional Latin Mass for the first time. The boys only saw the TLM for the first time on the 2nd of December. But from that time Jonathan and Jordan Kayombo have been very eager to learn to serve the "old" Mass. Their mother, Constance, made sure that the boys practiced their Latin at home and very soon they were word perfect.

With the help of volunteers from Una Voce SA, Mr.Peter Jackson (Head of TLM servers at the Cathedral)gave lessons to the boys three times a week from January. Peter had served the TLM as a boy over forty years ago. When he heard that the Mass was returning to the cathedral he quickly got his old missal out and was soon serving again.

(from left, Christopher Cordeiro - Una Voce, Fr. Shaun Mary von Lillienfeld, Peter Jackson - Head Server, Jonathan Kayombo, Jordan Kayombo.

The boys will continue their altar server training as well as learn some Latin.

The proud Kayombo family, Jonathan and Jordan are two of seven siblings and from the look on their younger brother's faces they are also eager to serve. Although I think they will have to wait just a few years.

Thanks to the Mattiuzzo family who provided the cassocks and surplices.

Easter break for the TLM at the Cathedral

2009-03-27T10:32:00.004+02:00

Easter is playing havoc with our Traditional Latin Mass schedule at the Cathedral. Sunday the 5th April (Palm Sunday)would normally be a TLM Sunday, but because the Cathedral only has one Mass on that day the TLM is falling away.

Unfortunately in April we can't find another Sunday to celebrate the TLM on. In April therefore there will be no Sunday TLM at the Cathedral.

Please remember that we still have a number of week-day masses and make a special effort to come to one of those.

We can use this short break to put an extra effort into building up the TLM in Johannesburg. We have a number of projects that we will be launching in April and your help is needed. So please visit the blog and keep an eye on your e-mail.

God Bless

Requiem Mass for Fr. Lionel Sham.

2009-03-19T07:50:00.002+02:00

A Requiem Mass in the Traditional Rite will be offered for the repose of the soul of Fr. Lionel John Sham on Tuesday 24th March at 17:30 at the Cathedral of Christ the King.

"O God, who didst raise Thy servant to the dignity of priest in the apostolic priesthood; grant, we beseech Thee, that he msy be joined in fellowship with Thine apostles for evermore. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who is God, and lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen"

Collect for a priest from the Requiem Mass (1962 Missal).

Promising first Sunday Mass in PE

2009-02-27T14:55:00.003+02:00

The first Traditional Latin Mass in a diocesan parish to be offered on a Sunday in PE, took place on 22 February 2009 (Quinquagesima Sunday in the 1962 Calendar), at St Vincent's Parish, Algoa Park, Port Elizabeth. Mgr John Clarke offered the Mass.

Approximately 30 people were in attendance, and many were delighted by the opportunity of assisting at such a Mass on a Sunday.

Mgr Clarke preached a short sermon on the importance of carrying ones cross in daily life. All present were visibly edified by the simple beauty of the Mass.

Organisers managed to publicise the Mass in two parish newsletters - though in parishes in other parts of the city - and it is hoped that even wider publicity will be affored to future Masses. News of the Friday Masses is slowly filtering down to people - some of whom have expressed surprise, and pleasure at the progress made so far.

There is every hope that future Sunday Masses will take place, and our goal of a regular, Sunday Mass will become a reality.

Spot-a-poster Competition

2009-02-20T09:08:00.004+02:00

In association with the cathedral, Una Voce SA has started a poster campaign aimed at informing everyone in the Archdiocese that the TLM is being celebrated at the cathedral. At yesterday's clergy meeting a number of priests took posters to put up in their parishes.

See the poster here

I would love to know where the posters have popped up. So if you see one please let me know. Perhaps it would be fun if you would comment here, but feel free to e-mail, call etc. What is the prize you cry! Well, how about unlimited bragging rights as premier poster spotter in Johannesburg? Your very own poster? ......

If your parish doesn't have a poster why not get one or two from me and ask to put them up in your parish?

Also feel free to ask for posters to put up anywhere that you can i.e. Catholic schools, Universities, Shopping centres, in your business, wherever you can.

Please help us to get the word about the TLM out to every Catholic in the Archdiocese.

Remember that many people left the Church when the Mass changed and so spreading the news about the Mass is a valuable apostolic work. One of the seven spiritual works of mercy i.e. instructing the ignorant. These people will not see a poster in a Catholic venue so be creative and see where you can get these posters displayed.

May God Bless you and The Blessed Virgin and all the Saints pray that you will be rewarded for your efforts.

TLM at Cathedral featured in Archdiocesan News

2009-02-16T11:53:00.007+02:00

The Johannesburg Archdiocesan news carried a short report on the TLM at the Cathedral in its February edition.

You can help promote the TLM by getting a few copies (they are free after all) and spreading this information to friends and family.

One regular TL Mass attendee told me that a friend would not believe that the TLM was being said again unless she saw it in print. So here it is!

Una Voce SA is grateful to Judy Stockill of the Archdiocesan News for placing the article.

Space constraints meant that the full article wasn't placed. You can read it below.

TLM at the Cathedral
Ever since Pope Benedict XVI promulgated the Motu Proprio ‘Summorum Pontificum’ South African Catholics have been asking, ‘when will the traditional Latin Mass (TLM) be celebrated; when will the Motu Proprio come into effect? When will we see the TLM officially celebrated?’

That question was answered on the 2nd December 2008 at the Cathedral of Christ the King when Fr Shaun Mary von Lillienfeld (Cathedral administrator) celebrated the ancient Roman liturgy.

This was the first time in over forty years that the TLM had been celebrated at the Cathedral. The Lady Chapel of the Cathedral was filled to overflowing as a large number of the faithful gathered to celebrate this historic event.

Ever since the Motu Proprio made it clear that the TLM had never been abrogated, Fr Shaun has wanted to say the traditional Mass. The challenge of a very busy parish, however, left little time to study the complex rubrics of the traditional rite. However, with the assistance of a small group of faithful dedicated to the older form of the Mass, these challenges were overcome. This provides a good example of how the laity can become involved in preparing for the celebration of the TLM. Parish liturgy committees would find this a worthwhile and rewarding challenge.

The TLM has received an overwhelmingly positive response from the Cathedral faithful who enthusiastically participate in the celebration of the mass and eagerly say the Latin responses. The use of Latin/English missallettes makes it possible for the faithful to prayerfully follow the age-old prayers and rubrics.

A number of men and boys are keen to act as altar servers in the traditional liturgy. Training for this demanding but beautiful task has begun.

In addition to the Cathedral faithful, Catholics are coming to the Cathedral from every part of the archdiocese, and even beyond, to attend the Mass. Visitors regularly come from as far afield as Roodepoort and Boksburg. A few of the faithful come from Pretoria and Fr Shaun reports that he has even had one query from Durban!

This underscores the importance of the Archdiocese of Johannesburg within the country as a whole. To date, the Johannesburg Cathedral is the only Cathedral in South Africa where the TLM has been celebrated under the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum.

News of the TLM at the Cathedral has appeared on a number of leading international Catholic websites and messages of support have been received from Catholics across the world. One Kenyan lady, writing from America, sent this message;
“Praised be Jesus Christ! This is excellent news indeed. I am originally from Kenya and I certainly hope this is the beginning of similar news throughout the continent particularly in my beloved homeland. Our Lady mother of the Church, pray for us”.
Close ties are being forged with international organizations dedicated to supporting the traditional liturgy. In particular, a local chapter of the international federation, Una Voce, has been re-founded in South Africa.

Una Voce is a lay-led association that works for the restoration of traditional Catholic practice through traditional liturgy, music and architecture.

For those interested in attending, the TLM is celebrated three times a week:
On Tuesdays and Thursdays at 17h30 and on Saturdays at 07h30. On the first and fifth Sundays of each month Mass is celebrated at 11h30.

Further information can be obtained at the Cathedral (011-402-6342) or from Una Voce SA (074-730-6935) or via the Una Voce SA webblog www.unavocesa.blogspot.com

Info box:
The TLM is the form of the Mass celebrated in accordance with the 1962 Missal promulgated by Blessed John XXIII.

The Mass is more commonly called the Tridentine Mass because it was codified by Pope St Pius V following the Council of Trent. This form of the Roman rite, however, took shape in the period between the 2nd and 6th centuries.

During that time, the Greek style liturgy that was initially used in Rome was replaced by a distinctively Roman Rite. In the 6th century, Pope St Gregory the Great gave the TLM the basic form that it still retains today.

For this reason Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos, Head of the Pontifical Commission, Ecclesia Dei, has said that it is more appropriate that this form of the Roman Rite be called the Gregorian Rite.

It has often been said that someone familiar with the traditional Latin rite would not find themselves out of place if they were taken back to 6th century Rome.

Sunday Mass scheduled for Port Elizabeth

2009-02-06T10:12:00.002+02:00

Mgr John Clark will offer a Traditional Latin Mass at 11am on Sunday, 22 February 2009, at St Vincent's Catholic Church, Dennehout Street, Algoa Park, Port Elizabeth.

This will be the first occasion in Port Elizabeth on which the Traditional Mass is offered in a diocesan parish on a Sunday, since the issue of the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum. Mgr Clark continues to say the Traditional Mass every Friday at 5:30pm and all are most welcome.

We hope and pray that, if the attendance is good, further Sunday Masses may be scheduled, and (hopefully) a regular Sunday Mass instituted. The excellent response to the New Year's Day Mass at Corpus Christi gives us hope that this is quite possible. Deo volente!

A Two-month Anniversary!! The next step?

2009-02-06T08:38:00.014+02:00

On the 2nd of February (Feast of the Purification) we passed the important milestone of two months of TL Masses at the Cathedral of Christ the King.

Co-incidently that milestone was marked by the first celebration of Candlemas in the "usus antiquor" (i.e. the ancient use -according to the 1962 Missale) in forty years. We had a procession around the Cathedral and said the Antiphons for the Purification. The goal for next year - singing.

The Mass on Sunday was also a first as it was our first sung Mass. Many thanks to the choir members who attended and the organist/choir director Michael Burrell.

God willing, from now on all our Sunday Masses will be sung. We will also be adding to the solemnity of the masses by including more servers as soon as they are all trained.

With these developments I think that it is fair to say that we have established the TL Mass at the Cathedral.

Now I need the readers of this blog to help us meet the challenge of expansion.

First and foremost that challenge is one of educating the existing Cathedral faithful about the TLM and traditional Catholicism in general. As support for the TLM grows more Masses can be added to the schedule.

The next challenge is increasing the number of people who come to the TLM from outside the Cathedral parish. There is a faithful group who come every Sunday that we have Mass but that group needs to increase. Once again we need to inform and then educate.

Finally, those who already support the TLM need to get directly involved in making this expansion possible. There are a number of ways you can support the Mass, by direct evangelisation, singing in the choir, serving, etc.

Because of the "Rite of Election" (RCIA candidates from throughout the Diocese attend a function with the Archbishop) taking place at 11:00 on the first Sunday in March the TLM has had to be moved to the Third Sunday. We do however have the compensation of another Sunday Mass in the month on the fifth Sunday (see the side-bar for details).

This means that we have six weeks to make a big effort to promote the Mass. Please keep an eye on this blog and your e-mail as I will be asking for your help.

Also feel free to comment and make suggestions.

God Bless and remember to pray for the Pope and show your support for him by signing this petition http://www.soutienabenoitxvi.org/index.php?lang=uk

Support Benedict XVI

2009-02-04T20:45:00.002+02:00

The Holy Father has been under constant attack since he lifted the excommunications of the SSPX's bishops.

Catholics who are friends of tradition and who wish to show support for the Holy Father are encouraged to join an e-petition that will be presented to the Holy Father.

Please consider signing it http://www.soutienabenoitxvi.org/index.php?lang=uk

The original is in French so ignore the few mistakes.

Report on PE TLM on New Year's Day

2009-01-26T14:55:00.003+02:00

A rather belated report on the Traditional Mass offered in PE recently -

On 1 January - in the old Calendar, the Octave Day of Christmas, or the Feast of the Circumcision - Port Elizabeth Catholics had the privilege of assisting at the first, fully public, Traditional Latin Mass offered in a diocesan parish, since the issue of the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum. This was probably the first such Mass publicly offered in a diocesan parish in 40 years.

Monsignor John Clark, of St Vincent's Parish, Algoa Park, Port Elizabeth, had been approached by Bishop Michael Coleman to "re-learn" this form of the Mass - he has courageously done so, and has, on a semi-private basis, offered the Mass for the last couple of months at his home parish.

Corpus Christi Parish of Humewood, Port Elizabeth, kindly extended an invitation for this "first" public Mass to be offered in its lovely church, a stone's throw from the PE beachfront on New Year's Day.

Over 100 people - the majority from Corpus Christi, but many from further afield - attended the 9am Low Mass, which was offered at the High Altar (still intact!) of the Church. Several in the congregation brought their old Missals, which may well not have seen the light of the day for 40 or more years. The congregation enthusiastically joined in the singing of traditional hymns - such as "I'll Sing a Hymn to Mary" at the end of the Mass, and appreciated the short, yet thought provoking sermon delivered by Monsignor after the Gospel.

The organisers are very pleased with the response and are hopefull that, in the near future, similar public Masses will take place. Monsignor Clark continues, every Friday at 5:30pm, to offer the Traditional Mass at St Vincent's Church, Dennehout Street, Algoa Park, and all are most welcome.

Details of additional Masses, at St Vincent's and elsewhere, will be posted.

First Sunday Mass in Christ the King Cathedral - Photos

2009-01-25T12:27:00.000+02:00

"and when I am lifted up I will draw all men to me" John 12:32

This short photo essay (much delayed) of the first Sunday TL Mass at Christ the King is focussed on some unique aspects of the TLM liturgy.

When you attend a TLM you will see a significant focus on the Cross of Our Lord. In its central position on the altar, in the instructions for the priest to raise his eyes to the crucifix and in the many bows and reverences directed to it. It always reminds me of this wonderful phrase from scripture.

"What shall I offer to the Lord for all He has given to me, I will take the chalice of salvation and I will call upon the name of the Lord" The prayer before the priest receives the Precious Blood.

This prayer reminds us that only when we unite ourselves to the sacrifice of Our Lord do our works have any value or merit.

The servers play a vital part in the Traditional Latin Mass adding to its sacredness and beauty. Historically servers were clerics in minor orders and therefore dress as clerics in cassock and surplice. Here Andrew Martin and Peter Jackson wait to bring the water and the wine while Father offers up the bread.

"mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa"

"Corpus Domini Jesu Christi Custodiat animam tuam in vitam aeternam"

May the Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ keep thy soul unto life everlasting. Amen.

"Et Verbum Caro Factum Est"

"And the Word was made Flesh", Two of the genuflections at the Mass mark the Incarnation, one during the Creed and the other here during the final Gospel. The fact of Our Lord's Incarnation is so startling that we fall to our knees in awe.

Photo Credits: Michael Poverello

Fr. Eldred Leslie R.I.P.

2009-01-22T12:12:00.005+02:00

Please pray for the respose of the soul of Fr. Eldred Leslie (83).

Fr. Leslie was murdered in his home in Pietermaritizburg.

Despite having being robbed several times and having his house broken into at least 14 times in the last ten years he continued to assist all those who came to his door. The Natal Witness reports that he "gave street children and destitute people food and even paid school fees for some of the children."

It appears that he opened the door to someone and was murdered.

Fr. Leslie was well known for his support of the Traditional Latin Mass and pro-life causes.

He was pastor of the independent chapel of Our Lady and St. Michael.

(No comments please)

Change of e-mail

2009-01-16T11:08:00.000+02:00

I have changed the e-mail for the blog to unavocesa@gmail.com.

January/February special events

2009-01-13T11:36:00.006+02:00

While the Mass Schedule remains basically unchanged Fr. Shaun von Lillienfeld will be adding a few special events:

Tuesday, 20th January: Feast of Sts. Fabian & Sebastian, Following the 17:30pm TL Mass the faithful will be blessed with and have the opportunity to venerate a first class relic of St Sebastian.

Monday, 2nd February: Feast of the Purification (Candlemas). A Traditional Latin Mass will be said at 17:30pm. This will include the blessing of candles according to the 1962 Missale. If you use blessed candles in your home (and you should) this is the most suitable time to have them blessed.

Tuesday, 3rd February: Commemoration of St Blaise. The 17:30pm TL Mass will be followed by the traditonal Blessing of the Throats.

Wednesday, 25th February: Ash Wednesday. A Traditional Latin Mass will be said at 18:00pm, (this is to allow more people to attend) the ashes will be imposed.

Prayer Request

2009-01-13T11:31:00.003+02:00

Please pray for a special intention related to an additional opportunity to celebrate the TLM in Johannesburg. God willing I will be able to make an annoucement in due course.

News Flash: PE Mass very successful

2009-01-05T22:22:00.003+02:00

Best wishes for the New Year.

Nicholas Mitchell from PE reports that the TLM on Jan 1st was very successful with over 100 people attending.

Nicholas will post a report and hopefully some photos soon.

Changes to JHB Cathedral schedule

2008-12-26T20:01:00.003+02:00

These changes have been announced at the cathedral but just in case you are planning to come to the cathedral in the next few days here they are again:

27 December TLM at 10:00am and not 7:30am.

No TLM on Thursday January 1st.

Mass on Sunday 4th January at 11:30am may be a sung mass.

All other Mass times stay the same.

PE TLM - "Let Non Nobis and Te Deum be sung"

2008-12-18T17:04:00.002+02:00

It is with great joy that I can share this e-mail from Nicholas Mitchell of Port Elizabeth.

"I am very happy to say that a Traditional Latin Mass, according to the 1962 Roman Missal, will be offered at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, La Roche Drive, Humewood, Port Elizabeth, on 9am on 1 January 2009. The Church is visible from the intersection of Beach Road and La Roche Drive and is situated opposite Garden Court Hotel (the old Hotel Elizabeth).

Monsignor John Clark, who has been privately offering the Traditional Mass on an occasional basis for a couple of months, has kindly agreed to offer this Mass, in response to the requests of local Catholics. Hopefully, this will be the first of many such Masses in Port Elizabeth.

This Mass will be the first such Mass offered publicly in a diocesan parish, in terms of the Papal motu proprio Summorum Pontificum, in Port Elizabeth. All are most welcome."

I know that Nicholas Michell and all of those who have helped to get the TL Mass going would say "Not to us but to God the Glory" but I want to say "Well done" to all of you.

This Blog's Policy

2008-12-17T12:13:00.004+02:00

I am new to blogging so I should have perhaps done this before. I now, however, feel the need to clearly state this blog's policy.

This is the official blog of Una Voce SA. It purpose is to support the activities of Una Voce SA, these activities are in line with the statements and activities of the International Federation Una Voce.

It is not my personal blog and the statements etc. are official and not my personal views. To keep things interesting I will sometimes employ a personal style, but I will not express personal views.

The purpose of this blog is to inform readers of Una Voce SA activities.

I encourage comments but debates, statements on traditional groups that are not affliliated to Una Voce do not have a place on this blog. I will delete any comments that fall outside the scope of this blog .

There are a number of other blogs etc. that handle these issues. Kindly use them as a forum to express these view.

Una Voce SA content on other blogs, facebook: Una Voce SA content appears on a number of blogs. Please note that this does not mean that Una Voce SA supports the views expressed in these blogs. If you use Una Voce content in any form kindly reference this blog. If you see other blogs using content and not referencing this blog kindly inform me.

Links to websites and blogs: I have received a number of kind offers to add other blogs as links from this blog. Unfortunately, as this is an official Una Voce SA blog I am not able to do this. I even hesitated over adding Fr. Z. Many of the blogs in question are in any event much better known and frequented than this blog and so I am sure they will not suffer from not being mentioned here. I will from time to time add references to sites that offer resources.

I trust that this does not cause offence and all will receive it in the charitable spirit in which it is meant.

Christopher Cordeiro

The Missing Link

2008-12-17T11:43:00.002+02:00

Thanks to Scripturelink who has pointed out an oversight on my part. No link to a text for Traditional Latin Mass.

At the Cathedral we are temporarily using the text from http://www.ewtn.com/library/LITURGY/TRIDMASS.TXT

The problem is that there are a few errors in that text . That's why it is temporary.

We have a project to bring out a definitive missalette for use in SA, hopefully in the first quarter of 2009.

Regular Sunday TLM at the Cathedral

2008-12-17T09:03:00.004+02:00

As I explained before, the Sunday Mass schedule at the Cathedral is packed. Fr. Shaun has very kindly offered to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass every Sunday at 17:30pm other than on the first Sunday of the month when the Mass will be at 11:30am.

If you would like to attend the Mass at this time please leave a comment indicating the number of people who would attend.

If you prefer send me an e-mail, but don't forget to tell me how many would be attending.

Stop linking, you brazen hussy! (said in a broad brogue)

2008-12-15T10:10:00.012+02:00

One of the most heinous acts a girl could commit at my wife's convent school was linking. That was walking arm-in-arm with another girl. To the upper-middle class Irish nuns this was the act, without parallel, that marked one as that terrible thing - "a factory girl". The sight of five or six girls walking arm-in-arm could send Sister Atracta into apoplexy.

That being said and with all respect to Sister Atracta I thought I would add a few links.

First and foremost we have the link to the International Federation Una Voce. If I didn't do that I don't think my e-mails to 'Head Quarters' would be answered.

Una Voce Orange County has a wonderful site that allows you to download the Propers for Sunday Masses. Very useful if you are only using a missalette.

Sancta Missa is maintained by the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius. It includes all sorts of downloadable resources as well as a training video for priests wanting to learn to say the TLM. If you got at least five numbers and the bonus ball in the Lotto you may just be able to afford their famous hand missal. Not their fault though, what with the exchange rate and the cost of postage. Hopefully as demand grows prices will drop.

The New Liturgical Movement works to promote the TLM as well as restore the continuity of the New Rite with the liturgical traditions of the Church. The second goal is not strictly speaking one of the goals of Una Voce, but I have included this link because of the TLM coverage. If banal liturgy, sack-like vestments and tunes in two-and-four are getting you down go to the NLM for a feast of Catholic liturgy and a bit of balm for the soul.

"What does the prayer really say?" is the blog of the famous Fr.Z. (that is Zulhsdorf, see why the 'Z' is easier). Along with information on the TLM and Fr. Z's thoughts on liturgy, you can find out what he thinks about Womynpriests (no prizes for guessing), what he is cooking tonight and why he never ever -absolutely never -wears pink for Guadete and Laetare Sundays but only rosacea.

Also visit the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales. They have tons of useful downloads especially the Latin course, Simplissimus. This course teaches you Latin using the TLM as the basis for the course. And best of all you can download it for free.

"Now off to the chapel 'me dear' and ask Our Blessed Mother to forgive you that bout of linking and don't try Sister's temper so."

The Old made New. - Jhb TLM

2008-12-10T11:50:00.018+02:00

"Introibo ad altare Dei"

I will go in unto the altar of God.

The Traditional Latin Mass returns to the Cathedral for the first time in nearly forty years

Detail of one the beautiful Cathedral vestments, found a month before the first Mass.

"The Epistle"

"Hoc Est Enim Corpus Meum"

The Consecration of the Bread

"My Lord .....

...and My God"

"Ecce Agnus Dei"

Behold the Lamb of God, Behold him who takes away the sins of the world.

Celebrant: Fr. Shaun Mary von Lillienfeld

Server: Andrew Martin

Pictures: Michael Poverello

Many thanks to the above and to all who attended.

December 16th, Mass at 10:00am

2008-12-10T11:42:00.003+02:00

As December 16th is a public holiday (Reconciliation Day) there will be no 17:30pm Mass, the TL Mass will be at 10:00am on that day.

Jhb TLM Schedule for December 2008/January 2009

2008-12-07T19:30:00.002+02:00

The following is the Traditional Latin Mass Schedule at Christ the King Cathedral for December 2008/January 2009.

Sundays:
21st December 2008 11:30am Low Mass followed by tea and cake.
4th January 2009 11:30am Low Mass.

Weekdays & Saturday:
Tuesdays, Thursdays 17:30pm
Saturdays, 7:30am

Exceptions/Additional Masses
No 5:30pm Mass on Christmas Day (Thursday 25th) replaced with a TLM at 10:00am 26th December - Feast of St. Stephen.

Christopher

E-mail contact address

2008-11-28T10:40:00.002+02:00

I am so busy preparing for the 2nd that I haven't had much time to work on this blog. However, I have added my e-mail address christopher.cordeiro@yahoo.co.uk . I will send schedule updates etc. to those who send a message to this e-mail address and place TLM in the subject line.

Otherwise you can just read the blog.

JHB TLM Mass Schedule for first week in December

2008-11-27T15:33:00.003+02:00

The TLM Mass Schedule for the Cathedral next week is a follows:

Tuesday (2nd December) 17:30
Thursday (4th December) 17:30
Saturday (6th December) 7:30

The mass on Tuesday will be the first TLM in the Cathedral in more than forty years. A truly historic occassion.

God Bless

Christopher

Traditional Latin Mass in Johannesburg

2008-11-25T08:48:00.001+02:00

The organising committee of Una Voce South Africa is pleased to announce that a number of masses in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (Traditional Latin Mass, Tridentine Mass) will be offered during the month of December at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Saratoga and End Street, Johannesburg.

Dates and times are, at this stage, tentative. It is planned that three weekday masses will be offered each week. The Sunday mass schedule at the Cathedral is quite full but it is hoped that it will prove possible to have a low mass celebrated on one Sunday in December.

We wish to express our thanks to the Cathedral Administrator Fr. Shaun Mary von Lillienfeld who will be celebrant.

If you would like us to keep you informed please send an e-mail to christopher.cordeiro@yahoo.co.uk with the phrase TLM in the subject line.