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Bishop Burbidge publishes instruction for the use of the Traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese of Arlington

July 29, 2022

On July 16, 2021, Pope Francis published Traditionis Custodes, an apostolic letter issued motu proprio, by which he created new norms on the use of the Mass celebrated according to the Missal of 1962 (often referred to as the Traditional Latin Mass, the Extraordinary Form, and the usus antiquior). This was preceded by an international assessment and consultation of bishops regarding the application of motu proprio Summorum Pontificum. Following that consultation, the Holy Father established several directives aimed at providing ecclesial communion and unity with regard to the celebration of the Mass.

Upon receiving Traditionis Custodes and the subsequently released Responsa ad Dubia, Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of the Diocese of Arlington, convened a group of pastors in the Diocese whose parishes offer the Traditional Latin Mass, as well as experts in the liturgy and canon law, to study the motu proprio and to discern how it may be best implemented in the Diocese. This group offered recommendations to Bishop Burbidge. Consequent to these recommendations, Bishop Burbidge is now publishing an instruction that ensures regional availability of the Traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese of Arlington.

Since the publication of Traditionis Custodes, Bishop Burbidge has consistently emphasized two points. First, the Diocese of Arlington will be obedient to the Holy Father's directives, working toward unity in our use of liturgical rites. Second, the diocesan instruction related to Traditionis Custodes would be sensitive to those who attend the Traditional Latin Mass. This has been evidenced by Bishop Burbidge submitting a request for dispensation from Traditionis Custodes to the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. Consequently, three parishes were granted permission to continue celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass in their parish churches for a term of two years.

In total, eight of the 21 current locations throughout the Diocese of Arlington will have the Traditional Latin Mass available for the approximately 2.5% of local, Mass-attending Catholics who prefer this liturgical form.

The Traditional Latin Mass will continue to be celebrated in the following locations in the Diocese of Arlington:

  • Saint John the Baptist Church, Front Royal (in Chelsea Academy)
  • Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Winchester (in Sacred Heart Academy)
  • Renaissance Montessori School (Nokesville, VA), located within the parish boundaries of All Saints Church, Manassas
  • Saint John the Apostle Church, Leesburg (in the Historic Chapel)
  • Saint Patrick Church, Fredericksburg (in the former church building)
  • Saint Anthony Mission, King George (in the main church) 
  • Saint Rita Church, Alexandria (in the main church)
  • Saint John the Beloved, McLean (in the main church)

The promulgation of Traditionis Custodes recalls for all of us, Christ's faithful, the Second Vatican Council's teaching found in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Sacrosanctum Concilium: “Liturgical services are not private functions, but are celebrations of the Church, which is the 'sacrament of unity,' namely, the holy people united and ordered under their bishops” (No. 26). For this reason, we ask the Holy Spirit to increase his gifts of unity and peace within the universal Church and within our local church. Let us pray with ever greater fervor that God Our Father will be pleased to grant her peace, and guard, unite and govern her throughout the whole world.

The policy, linked below, will take effect on September 8, 2022, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Read and download the Policy for the Implementation of Traditionis Custodes in the Diocese of Arlington by clicking the button below (PDF). 

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