Pontifical Solemn High Mass Commemorates Pope's Fifth Anniversary in D.C.

America's Largest Catholic Church Hosts Event

The Pontifical Solemn High Mass in the Extraordinary Form was held in honor of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, on the fifth anniversary of his papacy.

WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - For the first time in almost fifty years a "Traditional Latin Mass" or "Tridentine Mass" (from the 1962 Missal) was celebrated at the high altar of The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.

The Pontifical Solemn High Mass in the Extraordinary Form which took place on Saturday, April 24, 2010, was held in honor of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI,  on the fifth anniversary of his papacy. It was celebrated by His Excellency Bishop Edward Slattery of the Diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

Amidst the grand setting of the Great Upper Church of the Basilica, angelic choirs of area Catholic school children began the EWTN-filmed event.  There was a distinct flavor of a former era among the sea of traditional lace veils on the heads of many women in the pews.

The majestic sounds of the Basilica choir and musicians accompanied the procession of former Archbishop of Washington (1973-1980), William Cardinal Baum, followed by the Knights of Columbus, Knights of Malta, Constantine Knights of St. George, Priests Assisting in Choro, Papal Knights of St. Gregory, and Liturgical Ministers. 

Bishop Slattery was assisted by a host of priests from the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, to celebrate what was a most beautiful and Holy Mass to an over 3,500 seat capacity-filled Basilica of the Faithful. 

This "Traditional Latin Mass" or "Tridentine Mass" (from the 1962 Missal) was the first to be celebrated at the Basilica's High Altar in almost fifty years. Although there has been a resurgence of parishes celebrating the Tridentine Mass in recent years, many Catholics are either too young or unfamiliar with this time-honored tradition.

Those most fortunate to be present experienced this 1500-year-old Mass in a manner honoring its most sacred and ancient usage.  It was very fitting that this Mass, commemorating Pope Benedict XVI's ascension to the throne of Peter, followed the tradition of Sacred Liturgy that Our Holy Father invites us to embrace in a recent writing:

"The Church stands and falls with the Liturgy.  When the adoration of the divine Trinity declines, when the faith no longer appears in its fullness on the liturgy of the Church, when man's words, his thoughts, his intentions are suffocating him, then faith will have lost the place where it is expressed and where it dwells.  For that reason, the true celebration of the Sacred Liturgy is the center of any renewal of the Church whatever."

The emotion throughout the Basilica was one of reverence and awe, as Bishop Slattery celebrated the Mass with a love for Christ and the Church that was evident in his homily.  He spoke of our need to suffer with Christ and the Church during these troubled times of public scrutiny of the Church. 

His message was filled with hope and love through suffering so that we may constantly strive for sainthood through our suffering.  It was very clear that his prayer is to join Pope Benedict as we stand together as a unified Church to proclaim our need to suffer as Christ himself suffered. 

Bishop Slattery ended his homily with powerful words for the Church:
"Suffering then, yours, mine, the Pontiff's, is at the heart of personal holiness, because it is our sharing in the obedience of Jesus which reveals his glory. It is the means by which we are made witnesses of his suffering and sharers in the glory to come. 

"Do not be dismayed that many in the Church have not yet grasped this point, and fewer still in the world will even dare to consider it, but you know this to be true and it is enough, for ten men who whisper the truth speak louder than a hundred million who lie. 

"If then someone asks of what we spoke today, tell them we spoke only of the truth.  If someone asks why it is you came to this Mass, say that it was so that you could be obedient with Christ. If someone asks about the homily, tell them it was about a mystery and if someone asks what I said of the present situation, tell them only that we must - all of us - become saints through what we suffer." (Emphasis added)

The text of the homily from the Pontifical Mass offered by Bishop Edward Slattery, may be found here on the website of the Diocese of Tulsa.

The audio of the homily from the Pontifical Mass, offered by Bishop Edward Slattery, may be found by clicking here.  

For additional information on the Pontifical Mass click here.  The Paulus Institute in Washington DC, was an event sponsor.

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