Cardinal Burke's Vatican Latin Mass draws record numbers
The cardinal's high profile Mass in St Peter's Basilica prompted many to think that Leo might yet change Pope Francis' Latin Mass restrictions.
VATICAN CITY (PerMariam) — In a markedly poignant ceremony, Cardinal Raymond Burke offered a traditional Mass in the Vatican on Saturday at a record breaking pilgrimage, in what some are hoping will be a sign of Leo XIV’s personal openness to the traditional rite.
In scenes that few thought likely after the publication of Traditionis Custodes in 2021, Cardinal Burke offered a pontifical Mass in the Vatican for the annual Ad Petri Sedem pilgrimage on Saturday. The pilgrimage draws Latin Mass devotees to Rome on the traditional date of the feast of Christ the King: it normally has as its highlight the procession to, and Mass at, St. Peter’s Basilica.
Pope Francis’ Latin Mass restrictions have been felt in Rome also: the pilgrimage Mass was banned for the last two years, and the last time a bishop was given permission to celebrate it was before the era of Traditionis Custodes.
Not surprising, therefore, that Saturday’s Mass drew some 3,000 people to the annual event, meaning that the Basilica staff themselves were both taken aback and unprepared for the crowds they encountered. The attendance was record breaking and organizers commented that it served as a testament to the fervor Catholics have for the ancient liturgy. (A more lengthy analysis by this correspondent can be read on One Peter Five)
Beginning with the Rosary on the streets on the East banks of the River Tiber, the procession then crossed the ancient pilgrim bridge of the Ponte Sant’Angelo, before heading directly up the Via della Conciliazione to the Vatican. Flags from scores of nations fluttered in the breeze as the Litany of Saints was chanted in procession to the papal basilica.
Upon entering the basilica itself, the clergy leading intoned the Creed, so that as the thousands of pilgrims walked up past St. Peter’s tomb the tenets of the faith rang out in song, as they have done through the centuries inside the basilica. (Video found here)
Just as the attendees were immensely international, so also was the composition of the clerical ensemble forming the altar party, with representatives from each of the major traditional-Mass orders present on the sanctuary.
Burke’s Mass – offered on the Altar of the Chair under the famous Holy Spirit window – was so prolifically attended that people were left spilling out around the High Altar, down into the central and side naves.
Addressing the congregation, the American cardinal did not make mention of the restrictions on the traditional Mass, nor indeed of the various crises he has otherwise addressed in recent years during the precious pontificate.
Instead, he focussed on outlining the beauty of Marian devotion and the riches which are offered by the traditional liturgy being celebrated. He preferred great praise for Pope Benedict XVI’s Summorum Pontificum which liberalized “the regular celebration of the Rite of the Mass according to this form used since the time of Pope Saint Gregory the Great.”
“Privileged to participate in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass today,” said Burke, “we cannot help but think of the faithful who, throughout the Christian centuries, have encountered Our Lord and deepened their life in Him, through this venerable form of the Roman Rite. Many were inspired to practice heroic sanctity, even unto martyrdom.”
Pope Francis’ Traditionis Custodes made the declaration that everything which did not align with his restrictions was “abrogated,” meaning that Summorum Pontificum was swept aside. However questions about the canonical legality of Francis’ measures have been raised, including by Burke who told Per Mariam this year that the text was “problematical from the point of view of canon law and also of the theological reality of the sacred liturgy.”
“Those of us who are old enough to have grown up worshipping God according to the Usus Antiquior cannot help but consider how it inspired us to keep our gaze fixed upon Jesus, especially in responding to our vocation in life,” he said to the thousands before the altar on Saturday.
Burke’s homily appeared as if Summorum was very much still in effect, and he called attention to the manner in which the ancient liturgy has nourished the Church’s life:
Lastly, we cannot fail to thank God for the way in which this venerable form of the Roman Rite has brought to the faith and deepened in the life of faith so many who have discovered its incomparable beauty, for the first time, thanks to the discipline set forth in Summorum Pontificum.
We thank God that, through Summorum Pontificum, the whole Church is coming to an ever-greater understanding and love of the great gift of the Sacred Liturgy as it has been transmitted to us, in an unbroken line, by Sacred Tradition, by the Apostles and their successors. Through the Sacred Liturgy, our adoration of God “in spirit and truth,” Our Lord is with us in the most perfect way possible on this earth. It is the most excellent expression of our life in Him.
For many present, Saturday served as a signal that Leo XIV could yet prove to be more liberal than his predecessor regarding the Latin Mass, with some suggesting he might resemble Benedict rather than Francis. The Pope has not yet publicly waded into the topic, but has met privately with Burke and Cardinal Robert Sarah, both of whom are prominent champions of the traditional rite.
Given that St. Peter’s archpriest – Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, who is responsible for the purge on private Masses in the Basilica – also commented last month that “I have been told that we will wait for the Holy Father to decide” on the matter, it appears reasonable to suggest that Leo will indeed not leave things as they currently are.
Great article
Cant say i’m surprised. Wish I could’ve been there.