Tridentine Mass Information

The Tridentine Rite is that form of Mass which was used almost everywhere in the Roman Catholic Church before the Second Vatican Council in the 1960’s. The Tridentine Rite was then reformed to create the Novus Ordo (New Order) Rite that we are all familiar with. The Tridentine Rite was never condemned as something bad, it simply fell out of use as Catholics became accustomed to the “New Mass” which was offered in the people’s spoken language with many simplifications of the elaborate rubrics of the “Old Mass.”
Most Catholics were very satisfied with this situation, especially since the new rite did allow for the continuation of the use of the Latin language if desired and even the use of the old altar where the priest faced the tabernacle instead of the people and the use of the Communion rail. Please note that this has ALWAYS been the situation at our cluster partner parish, St. Joseph, also at St. Mary in Greektown and Holy Family Italian Parish.

There were some Catholics however who were very concerned that the Tridentine Mass might be lost completely and found themselves very attached to it as the valid form of Catholic worship that it is. Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II is very much in agreement with this group of Catholics which can be found throughout the world, that the Tridentine Mass should not be completely lost. And so he granted a special permission for the use of this rite in all Catholic dioceses throughout the world.
At present Catholics in the Metro-Detroit area who want to attend the Tridentine Rite Mass are driving to Flint, Jackson, Toledo or Windsor. Cardinal Maida wants to provide for their spiritual needs right here in the city of Detroit and has asked St. Josaphat Parish to assist him in this goal. And so on Sunday, October 3rd, 2004 the first Tridentine Mass will be said in St. Josaphat Church, at 9:30 in the morning. This Mass will be offered every Sunday thereafter by priests specially trained by the archdiocese.

Detroit Free Press: August 3, 2004 Front Page
(With photo and article about Tridentine Mass)

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FAQs

Where can I park?
You may park in the church parking lot, but there are only 75 spaces there. You may also park on the service drive of the Chrysler Freeway, both north and south of Canfield. You may park on both sides of Canfield Avenue. The restrictions on the North side (next to the church) have been lifted for Sunday mornings. Arrangements are also being made for the eventual availability of the parking lot belonging to Wayne State on Canfield at St. Antoine. We have hired a guard for our lot and the street and service drive around our church. His name is Ray Thompson. He will be on duty from 8:30 AM until 12:00 noon.

What do I need to know about the Sunday Collection?
Special envelopes have been prepared for use during this Mass. If you wish to have your offerings recorded for tax purposes you must use these envelopes and fill out your name on them. The money that is collected at the Tridentine Mass will first go toward covering the expense of the Mass. The priest and altar servers must be paid. The organist must be paid. The parking guard must be paid. There are expenses incurred with the printing of materials for the Mass and advertising the Mass. Any hospitality that would take place after the Mass would need to be funded through the collection. The remainder would go to St. Josaphat Parish to help pay for the heat, electricity and maintenance of the historic building.

Should I join St. Josaphat Parish?
At the present time we are only able to provide the Tridentine Mass on Sundays, so if you must have the Tridentine Mass as THE Mass at any other time of your life like Christmas, Holy Days, Weddings or Funerals you will have to search elsewhere. We are also not able to provide baptism in the old rite. Of course all these things can be offered in the Novus Ordo Rite in either the English or Latin languages. Weddings and funerals may be celebrated according to the new rite in Latin “ad orientem” with most of the details of the old rite if this is your desire. We will be only too happy to work with you.

Are there opportunities to socialize with others after Mass?
We are happy to place at your disposal our parish hall which is located in the building on the far west side of our property. It is our former Felician Convent. The entrance is in the rear. It is not a perfect parish hall but about 140 persons can be accommodated therein. This will be available on the Sundays when the “Novus Ordo” parish is not having a fund raising dinner. These dinners take place once a month and the “Tridentiners” are more than welcome to attend. Tickets for the dinners are $8.00 per person. Call 313 831-6659 for more information and to purchase tickets.

How can I get involved in the Tridentine Community at St. Josaphat's?
If a person would want to sing in the choir, he or she should see the organist after Mass. For the first Mass, the St. Josaphat Parish Council served as ushers and greeters but this should be handled by those who will be attending the Mass. A committee should be formed to handle hospitality in the hall after Mass. At present servers have been taken from a Catholic High School but serving may eventually be another way to get involved in the Mass you have wanted for so very long. Now you have it! Will you make it a success? Will you commit yourself to regular attendance and financial support? We are here to give you every help possible! We all look forward to a grand revival of liturgical and spiritual life at historic and beautiful St. Josaphat Catholic Church!

Is there anything else I should know?
There is only one restroom under the stairs to the balcony on the west side of the vestibule. Bulletins, missalettes, worship aids, instructional pamphlets and collection envelopes are available in the rear of the church near the main vestibule door.

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