By The Message staff
In an apostolic letter issued motu proprio July 16 and provided to bishops, Pope Francis restored limits on the celebration of the Mass according to the Roman Missal in use before the Second Vatican Council, modifying permissions St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI had given to celebrate the Mass in the Extraordinary Form, commonly known as the Latin Mass. Pope Francis noted that it is the local bishop who regulates the liturgy in his diocese in accord with these norms.
Bishop Joseph M. Siegel told The Message that he will study the pope’s apostolic letter, Traditionis Custodes (Guardians of the Tradition), and seek input from canonical and liturgical advisors. He noted that, like his predecessors, he believes that this form of the Mass has been spiritually enriching for many of the faithful, and so he foresees its continuance to provide for their pastoral needs.
The liturgical schedule for the Latin Mass remains unchanged at the present. It is celebrated at Noon Central Time on Sundays at St. Mary Church in downtown Evansville and on the First Saturday of each month at St. Philip Church in Posey County. Bishop Siegel has granted Father Ryan Hilderbrand the faculty to celebrate these Masses in the Diocese of Evansville.
In Traditionis Custodes, Pope Francis declares the liturgical books promulgated after the Second Vatican Council to be "the unique expression of the 'lex orandi' (law of worship) of the Roman Rite.”
Catholic News Service contributed to this story.