In October we felt the pull to the Traditional Latin Mass. A few weeks after visiting, we officially joined the Parish. We made a quick transition, but that doesn’t mean that it has been an easy one. Changing from one Parish to another can be an adjustment, changing from the New Mass to the Traditional Mass has been a huge deal for our family!
I have family that has gone to the Traditional Mass for 15 years. I have heard about it from my family, I have visited for nieces and nephews Sacraments and could not seem to follow along with the Mass, I had met many of the families from the Traditional Mass. Joining was different though, to be a part of this Extraordinary Mass has been unbelievable.
I went to visit the Parish Priest simply to ask a few questions, ease my mind of some worry. I left that visit with another meeting set up, some wonderful Spiritual reading, and Prayers ~ the Prayers that have given me Peace to start and end my day.
I grew up Catholic, in the New Mass like many other people. I attended Catholic school, I left the Church two different times as an adult, but always came back. Questions have come and gone in my mind all throughout the years. When I did ask the questions of the Priest at whatever Parish I was attending at the time (I was never settled in a Parish for long), I would get an answer that always left me with more questions, and certainly not a feeling of calm or Peace. I did not know about Morning and Evening Prayers, the power of the Rosary, the power of Praying the Rosary together as a family, Grace…
So what does my Spiritual Father do?? He leads me to a life of Prayer, a day of constant Prayer, a search of Truth, answers that at times sting but I know that they come from Heaven, listens to my struggle of being different than our mainstream world, encourages – so much encouragement, teaches me what Grace is, Virtue, Prudence, Piety, Humility, shows me those that have gone before me on struggles of Faith journeys, points me towards the Saints to learn from, shows me our rich Catholic history, and the true teachings of our Faith.
The sacrament of Reconciliation is now a blessing that I yearn for ~ I am not only absolved of my sins, but in the space of the confessional I am filled with Grace, and pointed towards a way of living that even in the times of it being difficult for me is such a Blessing! When the Host is Consecrated at Mass, I now feel it! I feel it in my heart!
When I ask a question of my Spiritual Father, I know that his answer is the answer that will help my Soul make it’s way to Heaven. I know that his answer will help bring me closer to our Lord. I know that I must heed his advice and guidance. He has been entrusted with many souls to assist on our Spiritual journey, and I know that he takes his duties to heart.
A Priest is “alter Christus” – anther Christ. Our Lord calls him “a city built upon a hill,” the “salt of the earth”. He is in the world, but not of it. St Francis of Sales said of priests: “I will close my eyes to their faults, and only see in them God’s representatives.”
~from My Catholic Faith p. 337
Information of the Fraternity of St Peter
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