Wednesday, 3 July 2013

Traditional Latin Mass in London, Ontario - the anniversary of Summorum Pontificum



Sunday, July 7, 2013 is the sixth anniversary of Summorum Pontificum, the motu proprio of our beloved Benedict XVI which declared once and for all, that the traditional Latin Mass was never abrogated and can be celebrated by any priest in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church. How providential then that on this Sunday which in 2013 is the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost the Latin Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite begins in London, Ontario.

After an absence of nearly a year from its small existence in London, the Mass returns with the combined community and resources previously at St. Patrick's Kinkora where the former Pastor, Father Paul Nicholson began celebrating the Usus Antiquior, four years ago. Exercising his most appreciated pastoral care of the people in the area of the City of London and its environs, Bishop Ronald Fabbro, CSB, of the Diocese of London has been instrumental and consistent in his desire to provide for the people who wish to worship God in this venerable Rite.

For July and August, the Mass will be in the chapel at John Paul II Catholic Secondary School at 1300 Oxford Street East in the City of London. Once reconstruction on the site is concluded at the end of the summer, the community will move to its permanent home at Regina Mundi College at 5250 Wellington Road South. Regina Mundi College was originally built as a minor seminary; it has as splendid chapel of noble simplicity seating 200 and a pipe organ which will be enthusiastically used along with the fine St. Edmund Campion Hymnal. The Mass will be at 2:00 P.M. and will continue to be a Missa Cantata and now has the potential of some Sundays being celebrated as  a Missa Solemnis. While one might cringe at the time of day, it is necessary because the Mass will be celebrated on a rotation by six, Diocese of London priests who will need to finish their pastoral work in their parishes. Two o'clock is a small price to pay for the embracing of this by the Bishop and these six priests and possibly more in the future. The use, through permitting of these school facilities eliminates any conflict with other Mass schedules and provides for other space for the after Mass luncheons and recreation.


Icon writer and Woodstock, Ontario resident Wojciech Strahl, has crafted a magnificent Icon of St. Michael the Archangel through the munificence or a resident of Kinkora. In tribute to the family's Irish heritage, the shamrock is woven through the scroll work in the frame. This icon will be erected weekly to invoke the Archangels' protection. A reredos is being constructed for the Altar which will have as its feature a magnificent painting our Our Lady receiving the news of the Annunciation of the Lord by the Archangel Gabriel. Hence, we are pleased to announce that Annunciation of Our Lord is the name by which the Latin Mass Community of London will be known.

The Toronto Traditional Mass Society-UNA VOCE TORONTO, is honoured to be working closely with our brothers and sisters in the Diocese of London on this most worthy and necessary endeavour; to bring the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite from its beginnings in Kinkora to the City of London, the Seat of the Diocese. We ask for the gracious blessings of God and the protection of Our Lady and St. Michael the Archangel on His Excellency, Bishop Ronald Fabbro, CSB for his pastoral love and care of those desiring the Usus Antiquior and for facilitating everything associated with the Usus Antiquior in London, Ontario. May God also richly bless and keep Father Paul Nicholson for his dedication and service at St. Patrick's Kinkora and for his work as Coordinator for the Latin Mass in London and for all that he has done for the souls in his care.

A Facebook Page for the Annunciation of Our Lord Latin Mass Community of London, Ontario can be found here and there is a blog which can be found at by visiting www.latinmasslondonontario.blogspot.com until a web page can be built. Those of you in the Diocese of London unfamiliar with the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, you are joyously welcomed to attend this Holy Mass. If you are in the Archdioceses of Toronto or Detroit or the Dioceses of Hamilton or St. Catharines, you are welcomed to come for a visit. If you are a Catholic who has drifted away from the Church, you will be welcomed home by a kind and joyful Catholic community. God bless you all.

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