ON SET OF THE PASSION, IT WAS MASS THE OLD WAY

Spirit Daily ^ | March 5, 2004 | Spirit Daily

[Maximilian]

During the filming of the now-famous movie, The Passion of the Christ, Mass was held at 7:30 each morning in a converted office at Cinema City at the east side of Rome (when filming was there), and presiding for much of the time was Father Stephen F. Somerville of Queensville, Ontario, near Toronto, who has detailed the fashion in which Mel Gibson prepared spiritually for the shooting -- confirming Gibson's taste for the pre-Vatican II liturgy.

"I said Mass for seven weeks of the filming," Father Somerville told Spirit Daily. "It was the old Latin Mass, the traditional Latin Mass -- not the new Mass in Latin. It was the old Catholic Mass that was used until the 1960s."

Father Somerville -- who, though traditionalist, technically remains under the jurisdiction of the Toronto archbishop -- said that many of those working on the movie couldn't make Mass because they had to apply make-up. "So we just had a small group of people, five or six on the average, and Jim Caviezel often came, but he particularly had to go for a long siege with the make-up artists, so sometimes I would give him Communion with a Host reserved from Mass," says the priest. "We converted a small room into a chapel. We improvised a decent-looking altar, and Mel sent somebody out to buy everything we needed -- vestments, nice candles. There were a few chairs and a sofa and there it was. Mel knelt on his knees on the floor behind me and answered the prayers in perfect Latin."

At times Caviezel would attend Father Somerville's Mass in full costume before the day's shoot -- though not during the bloody scourging scenes.

About 25 square feet in size, the tiny chapel had a few chairs and a simple wooden table raised against one wall to act as an altar. Above the table, the wall was decorated with various religious ornaments, including a picture of the Virgin Mary. Father Somerville had previously noted that he always began and ended Mass with a hymn, something that Gibson, joining in with his monotone, seemed to enjoy.

Somerville said he was there for the trial scenes. He didn't note any miracles, but emotions flowed. "There were some moments of strong feeling on the set," he recalls. "I was there for the scourging."

Asked about the role of German mystic Anne Catherine Emmerich -- who some have tried to downplay as an influence -- Father Somerville said that Gibson "made practical use of Emmerich in the movie. A lot of the details that you see visually in the movie are in the Emmerich book."

Father Somerville says that Gibson is "more of an extremist traditionalist Catholic than I am. He's not as hard-line as his father, but nevertheless," adding: "Many films about Christ have been made. But this one was made by a master actor and director with profound Christian conviction."

Somerville said that he "has become a traditionalist priest" though he is now retired and doesn't have a church. He met Gibson's father Hutton while filling in for a traditionalist priest at St. Jude's Shrine in Stafford, Texas, near Houston, where Hutton was living. When asked if he was loyal to Rome, Father Somerville said he is "loyal to Rome but I'm loyal to the Rome of all time, not just the Rome of right now. John Paul is the Pope and I respect him, but I disagree with many things that he is teaching."

In October of 2002 a letter by Father Somerville renouncing liturgical reform was posted by the St. Pius X Society. The Society is associated with a schismatic bishop, Marcel Lefebvre, and suppressed by the Vatican. Lefebvre was excommunicated for illicitly consecrating priests, but since then there have been attempts at reconciliation.

[BlackElk]

Is the token Prot Dr. Steve?

Who is the Minister of Sporting Life?

The Minister of Medicine?

We are growing so fast that it is hard to keep up. Fortunately, we have a Minister of Membership to keep us up to date.

[BlackElk]

Yes, but without the Ladies Auxiliary, we would be much diminished. They contribute not only their undeniable grace, loveliness, charm, intellect, wit and orthodoxy but also an everpresent vigilance and diligence and they do not suffer fools lightly. Each and every one far exceeds my own poor powers of computer competence. We simply cannot do without them.

[BlackElk]

Undoubtedly now that Anton Lavey has passed away.

[BlackElk]

The TTGC Auxiliary is ABSOLUTELY reserved to the ladies whatever the Massachusetts Supreme Court or SCOTUS or the National antiCatholic Reporter may think (in the unlikely event that any of them DO think).

[GirlShortstop]

Yes, but without the Ladies Auxiliary, we would be much diminished....We simply cannot do without them.

I am glad that I have a hat so as to tilt it down and hide my blushing cheeks.  :-)
Such kind words Black Elk... thank you good sir.

[BlackElk]

We shall gather the cowled brethren and the ladies' auxiliary now that you have applied. I certainly and enthusiastically support your application. I will rely on the Ministerr of membership to issue the formal call for votes.

Of course, whatever Joseph Cardinal Bernardin or Roger Cardinal Mahoney or Annibale Bugnini may have emoted, ladies wear head coverings at Mass (a mantilla will do) or whenever they are in the presence of the Real Presence just as gentlemen must not. You must consult with the Auxiliary on this question when it concerns venues outside the Real Presence. The Ladies make their own rules, consistent with gentility and taste and tradition.

[BlackElk]

Contact Saradippity who resides in the recently re-Catholicized Diocese of Phoenix or Jeff Chandler or the Una Voce website

[BlackElk]

Awwwww!

[GirlShortstop]

How about "Minister for the Conversion of Hardened Sinners?" I like the sound of that. :-)

The fine members of TTGC certainly understand, but, dare I say, oh my, what will the sinners infer?  I'll self-report to the mod should I not have asked.

[Siobhan]

Such kind and generous words. Thank you, dear BlackElk.

[AnAmericanMother]

I have my grandmother's hats (she was a Presbyterian, but of the white gloves and pearls variety, and her hats are impeccable.)

Do I have to wait until the Archbishop officially lays hands on me? (Looks like that's in the near future at this point. Parish priest was satisfied as to my husband's and my orthodoxy and has waived RCIA for us. My husband's orthodoxy even surprised me. Apparently he's been paying attention or reading the Catechism on the sly. Not bad for a former Methodist.)

[livius]

Parish priest was satisfied as to my husband's and my orthodoxy and has waived RCIA for us.

Congratulations! I'm sure you've been around here long enough to realize how lucky you are!

And then perhaps you could be Mistress of Hounds for the more sporting among the membership, accompanied by your faithful horse Gracie (who could not be anything but orthodox!).

[AnAmericanMother]

Gracie is about as faithful as a horse can be. (Her full name is Full of Grace. I didn't name her - she came that way. What a pleasant coincidence . . . if you believe in coincidences.)

I know how fortunate we are. The parish priest used to be Vicar-General of the Archdiocese (now retired), so he's pretty familiar with the ins and outs of Canon Law.

[livius]

Her full name is Full of Grace.

My goodness! That was definitely an omen!

Make sure you keep us posted on the date of your reception. Those clouds of unseen witnesses, both in Heaven and in cyberspace, will be assisting.

[AnAmericanMother]

Thank you! I can't tell you what support and comfort the FR Catholics have been to us!

[Pyro7480]

I'm not sure I get your response. I'm just trying to be creative with a title. I assume one of the primary missions of the Gentleman's Club is to argue for orthodox Catholicism, and convert as many to our side. No one is beyond hope. Since we as Catholics often pray for the conversion of hardened sinners, I thought that would be a nice thing to focus on.

[Siobhan]

I like MInister for the Conversion of Hardened Sinners. (Care to borrow a hat pin?) *grin*

[Siobhan]

What wonderful news! Heartfelt congratulations! You and your family continue to be in my prayers!

[Victoria Delsoul]

"I said Mass for seven weeks of the filming," Father Somerville told Spirit Daily. "It was the old Latin Mass, the traditional Latin Mass -- not the new Mass in Latin. It was the old Catholic Mass that was used until the 1960s."

That's remarkable, and Mel prays in Latin.

[Desdemona]

Of course, you are always welcome.