Michael Davies, R.I.P.

On Saturday, September 25, the great Michael Davies died. After a long and courageous battle with cancer, Mr. Davies was taken, perhaps mercifully by the Divine Judge, of a massive heart attack. The debt we all owe this extraordinary individual cannot be measured. We have lost a friend and mentor, the traditional movement has lost its uncontested elder statesman, and the Church has lost one of her greatest defenders of all time.

Though he was not martyred, the name Davies can surely and without hesitation be placed alongside those of More, Fisher and Campion, as men who gave their lives to the defense of the Holy, Roman Catholic Church in times of unparalleled attack.

We are shocked, stunned and saddened beyond belief by his passing. But for now, we’ll say and write nothing more. It is time to mourn a great and noble Catholic. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

I may not agree with everything he said or did, but Michael Davies was a good man who always remained a loyal son of the Holy See and a faithful follower of Christ. I met him once in Hartford, CT. A very gracious, humble man.

Requiem aeternam dona eis et lux perpetua luceat in eis, Domne.

No writer or activist did more on behalf of our Catholic faith’s traditions during the last thirty+ years than Michael Davies. During this time he was the single most prolific author on our liturgical traditions and noteworthy historical events supporting the use of the Tridentine (Latin) Mass, Roman Missal of 1962. He wrote on the beauty, history, and depth of this Mass of the Ages. He also led the international organization Una Voce Federation. May God rest his soul.

I also may not have agreed with his attempt to hang on to a bit of 'reform'. I guess he knows, now, whether he chose for God, or against him - just as we'll all be judged. And that's not something you'd say of a loved one, and relative. It might be something you'd say of a public figure and defender, mainly, of Catholic orthodoxy seeking holiness, and so Sainthood. I can't say, and can't judge, and hope by God's Will he found it, as suits Our Lord, and Master. Davies was ill for many months, and could no longer reply to correpondence and questions. Time just doesn't go on forever for any of us, in this life. Too obvious to even say.

Davies' scholarship found the obvious truth in the murky debates such that one knew, somehow. It was reason, such as we possess. And yet one just knew, as well, as the spirits. But you could cite Davies as an authority. You could use his simple arguments against the very 'reform' from which he ultimately could not tear himself away.

I pray he is in Purgatory. If he is a Saint, I pray that he prays for me.

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