Don't be ridiculous. I cannot speak for Ultima, but I certainly do not think you are stupid. I know you are looking for what is right. I do think you would find wonderful things if you would just open your mind a bit and not be afraid to embrace -- I mean really embrace -- the glorious 2,000 years of your religion. This didn't all start in the 1960s, despite what many of the revolutionaries would have us believe.
The beautiful art, the architecture, the glorious music -- these are all completely wrapped up in what it means to be Catholic. And the center of this Roman Catholic Faith is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass -- as it has been said for centuries, millenia.
This all together is our Faith. And no matter what the 1960s radicals do, no matter how deep into the catacombs they drive us, no matter what they intend to deprive us of, we will not go away. And how will we keep the faith in these terribly trying times? The miracle of the Traditional Latin Mass. That is our unchanging and unchangable link with all that it means to be Roman Catholic. Not just Mass on Sunday, but a Catholicity that permeates our entire lives -- down to our cells. It is what it means to be part of everything that has come before us, and to know that this is as close on earth as we can come to heaven. A gang of revolutionaries thought they could deny all this through their "modernization." What to do? Cling to the Mass. It is nearly all we have in these troubled times. Perhaps the Mass is offered by an independent priest, perhaps by the SSPX, perhaps by the FSSP, perhaps even by a devout and brave diocean priest -- who in many ways have the most difficult time of all. What is central is the Holy Sacrifice as it has been and will be, the Traditional Mass. To settle for anything concocted by 1960s revolutionaries when you can have the real thing is to turn your back on what it really means to be Roman Catholic. Trust me: when you begin to see things this way all else will begin to fall into place.
If the Mass was the center of the Tridentine Church, then why were little old ladies making the stations during Mass, or making a Novena at a side altar, or the parochial school children recited the Rosary during the Mass, stopping only for the consecration (which is the only thing they could see)? In fact, all these sacramentals came into being to give the faithful something to do while the priest mumbled to himself as he faced away from the congregation.
Private spirituality was at the center of the Tridentine Church, even during the celebration of the Mass.
"Where two or more are gathered, there I am in the midst of them." Thankfully, the Holy Spirit inspired John XXII to remind Catholicism that Jesus died for individuals, but He founded a community of believers.
Salvation is not just achieved by proceeding, single file, towards heaven, mumbling in a language no one understands.
Like I said, why don't you just get to the bottom line.
Anyhow...you are preaching to the choir. I attend the beautiful Tridentine Latin Mass at "Holy Trinity Catholic Church" as often as I can, using my grandmother's 1962 missal.
You guys jump to conclusions and are downright snobby in your treatment of Catholics who are in union with the Pope. For instance, just because one is not in your camp, you assume one must therefore be ignorant of the majesty and glory of the Church.
So sad that you don't work as hard on bringing your wisdom and knowledge to your neighborhood N.O. parish so that others may be exposed to and inspired by the beauty of our ancient Catholic tradition ... but no, like ultima, you keep it all to yourself and safely navigate the calm waters of your Trad parish...
I don't trust somebody who picks the name of an anarchist movement for his moniker on a website.
Things have fallen into place for me, and for millions of other Roman Catholics: we celebrate the Lord's Sacrifice in a language we understand, and at a celebration that is not clandestinely performed as if there are things we mere laymen should not see.
You are free to celebrate the Tridentine Mass wherever you can find a priest or bishop who is sympathetic to your pleadings. But one thing is clear:
You WILL NOT FORCE millions of Roman Catholics to celebrate the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ in a language they do not understand, EVER AGAIN!
The condescension you Tridentines have exhibited over the past year on this website has turned off more people than you know (if my e-mails are indicative of anything).
You should work toward a separate Rite, as the Eastern Rite has its own liturgy and worship. I will be more than happy to help you do this.
The Western Rite is Novus Ordo, celebrated in the vernacular, with inculturated elements in it.
THAT is not going to change.