Celebration of the Tridentine Mass in the Kansas City-Saint Joseph Diocese

Monday, September 17, 2007 - Feast of Saint Lambert of Maestricht

The above picture is titled "The Martyrdom of St. Lambert of Liège" - from a Wikipedia entry, which identifies the picture as "Le Martyr de St. Lambert" of the 15th century, but fails to list an artist or provenance.

What a blessed day September 15th became {besides the fact it was also my sister's birthday}! Our bishop, Bishop Finn of the Kansas City-Saint Joseph Diocese, celebrated the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend. Kansas City Catholic and Musings of a Dominican Inquirer were there, and each has an excellent write-up and several pictures.

My dear friend, Jack, was also there. Jack collects relics, items for the altar, and other traditional Catholic items. In fact, he donated several items needed for the Mass.

Jack sent me the following pictures:

These first two show the altar. Notice the empty pews behind the altar. Prior to Bishop Finn coming to our diocese, the Cathedral was wreckovated, and designed to not accommodate the Tridentine Mass. Well, those responsible were wrong. From what I have heard, the Mass was standing room only, but no one sat behind the altar.

Beautiful! What a glorious way to honor Our Lord!


This shows His Excellency Bishop Robert Finn, with Jack, in thanks for lending him the necessary altar items from his collection. Jack said, “It was an honor to be able to help.”



This shows the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, who are in our diocese, with Jack and his sister. Jack explains the story behind the picture:

“Several people have correctly guessed that the nuns are all laughing as Jack
must have told a joke. (They know me) When {the photographer} was counting to
three as he took it, he stopped at "Say..." at which point I shouted out, "Moto
Proprio", much to the sisters' delight.”

And finally, another beautiful picture. This is a father hugging his daughter goodbye, after the Mass. Jack said the father is

“fighting back the tears as he hugs his daughter goodbye. As Mother Superior
whisked her away, he remarked, "Well, I'll get to see her at Christmas."”

Thank you Jack for allowing me to share your pictures!

J+M+J