Should I Assist at a Mass That Names Benedict XVI in the Canon? by the Rev. Anthony Cekada
ONE HOT TOPIC discussed on traditionalist forums during the past few years is whether traditional Catholics should assist at Masses in which the priest mentions the name of Benedict XVI in the first prayer of the Canon.
These Masses are sometimes referred to as “una cum Masses,” because the Latin phrase into which the name of a reigning pope is inserted reads: una cum famulo tuo Papa nostro N. (together with Thy servant N., our Pope)
Now, those of us who have arrived at a correct understanding of the actual situation in the Church —so-called “sedevacantists” — affirm that Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) is a heretic, and therefore no true pope.
So, on the face of it, it makes no sense whatsoever for us to participate in a Mass where, a few moments before the consecration, the priest proclaims that Ratzinger is Papa nostro — “OUR pope.”
In many parts of the world, however, the only traditional Latin Mass available may be one offered by a priest (Motu, Society of St. Pius X or independent) who puts the false pope’s name in the Canon. Faced with choosing this or nothing, a layman is sometimes tempted to assist at the Mass anyway. Why not simply overlook Benedict’s name in the Canon, and “just go for the Mass”?
ONE HOT TOPIC discussed on traditionalist forums during the past few years is whether traditional Catholics should assist at Masses in which the priest mentions the name of Benedict XVI in the first prayer of the Canon.
These Masses are sometimes referred to as “una cum Masses,” because the Latin phrase into which the name of a reigning pope is inserted reads: una cum famulo tuo Papa nostro N. (together with Thy servant N., our Pope)
Now, those of us who have arrived at a correct understanding of the actual situation in the Church —so-called “sedevacantists” — affirm that Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) is a heretic, and therefore no true pope.
So, on the face of it, it makes no sense whatsoever for us to participate in a Mass where, a few moments before the consecration, the priest proclaims that Ratzinger is Papa nostro — “OUR pope.”
In many parts of the world, however, the only traditional Latin Mass available may be one offered by a priest (Motu, Society of St. Pius X or independent) who puts the false pope’s name in the Canon. Faced with choosing this or nothing, a layman is sometimes tempted to assist at the Mass anyway. Why not simply overlook Benedict’s name in the Canon, and “just go for the Mass”?
ONE HOT TOPIC discussed on traditionalist forums during the past few years is whether traditional Catholics should assist at Masses in which the priest mentions the name of Benedict XVI in the first prayer of the Canon.
These Masses are sometimes referred to as “una cum Masses,” because the Latin phrase into which the name of a reigning pope is inserted reads: una cum famulo tuo Papa nostro N. (together with Thy servant N., our Pope)
Now, those of us who have arrived at a correct understanding of the actual situation in the Church —so-called “sedevacantists” — affirm that Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) is a heretic, and therefore no true pope.
So, on the face of it, it makes no sense whatsoever for us to participate in a Mass where, a few moments before the consecration, the priest proclaims that Ratzinger is Papa nostro — “OUR pope.”
In many parts of the world, however, the only traditional Latin Mass available may be one offered by a priest (Motu, Society of St. Pius X or independent) who puts the false pope’s name in the Canon. Faced with choosing this or nothing, a layman is sometimes tempted to assist at the Mass anyway. Why not simply overlook Benedict’s name in the Canon, and “just go for the Mass”?