The Traditional Latin Mass Returns to Knoxville On the first Sunday of Advent,
approximately 275 Catholics gathered at St. John Neumann Church to attend
Knoxville's first traditional Latin Mass in almost forty years. It seemed
especially appropriate that November 27, 2005 was also Thanksgiving Sunday
this year. Indeed, the entrance hall outside rang afterwards with expressions
of joyous gratitude -- to Bishop Joseph Kurtz for his approval of this new
indult Mass, to Fr. John Dowling for welcoming the Latin Mass as pastor of
SJN, and to Fr. John Arthur Orr for celebrating this special old Mass that
marked the biweekly renewal here of the ancient Latin liturgy of the Church. A truly special occasion was signaled by a
church already beginning to fill a half hour before the Mass was scheduled to
begin, and by the palpable atmosphere of silent anticipation and reverence
that all displayed prior to the beginning of Mass. Although new Latin-English
missalettes were provided, many carried into church worn old missals that
they had kept and treasured over the years, and no one (child or adult)
entering the church failed to genuflect and reverence the tabernacle behind
the altar, which was adorned with the candles, missal stand, and altar cards
that are infrequently seen nowadays. In addition to the expected adults old
enough to remember the Latin Mass, numerous young families with children were
also conspicuous among those in attendance. During
most of the liturgy Fr. Orr faced the altar -- rather than facing the people
in new Mass style -- wearing ornate new Roman-style violet vestments acquired
especially for celebration of the old Mass. Kenny Jacobs and Michael
Hendershott, veteran altar servers at St. John Neumann, had, in a few brief
weeks of practice, mastered the intricate movements and responses of Latin
Mass servers. Fr. Dowling assisted Fr. Orr in distributing Holy Communion to
the multitude of communicants who knelt in the front pews for communion on
the tongue (in the manner that is customary at traditional Latin Masses).
The congregation seemed also to speak with one voice as they joined the altar servers in making the Latin responses and in the Kyrie Eleison, Credo, Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy), Pater Noster (Our Father) and Agnus Dei (Lamb of God). This full and active participation in post-Vatican II style might seem surprising to some attending a contemporary traditional Latin Mass for the first time. During holy communion, the Schola Cantorum sang Latin motets -- Rorate caeli ("Drop, you heavens, dew from above") by Christopher Tye and Alma Redemptoris Mater ("Hail Mother of the Redeemer") by Palestrina -- and offered an inspirational performance of sacred polyphony that might well have been worthy of a great cathedral. Instead of rushing to their cars in typical
Sunday Mass fashion, Catholics from across East Tennessee lingered for joyous
and thankful celebration and fellowship long after the Mass had ended. Many spoke of the
moving beauty and reverence of this first modern traditional Latin Mass in
the city of Knoxville, of the way it had lifted them up in adoration and
worship, and of their pride that our city and diocese is capable of such an
impressive liturgical event. Click here to see some pictures of
this Mass. Henry Edwards Advent 2005 |