The traditional Roman Rite rises from the ashes in Phoenix

A post on a mailing list to which I belong recently reported the success of the first episcopally approved celebration in many a long year in the Diocese of Phoenix of the traditional Roman Rite Mass according to the rubrics of Blessed Pope John XXIII. Those who had worked so hard for this day were expecting perhaps 300 people to attend. They got 1,300. Many more called the organizers and said could find no parking and were unable to attend.

The choir sang the Gregorian chant Mass II and the schola sang all the Gregorian propers to perfection.

For those in Phoenix, you now have a Roman Rite Mass available every Sunday at 1 p.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. It won't be a High Mass for most of the summer (except for August 16 in honour of the Marian feast of the Assumption). The choir and schola will be back regularly in late August.

Congratulations, Phoenix. I wish Rick Felix had lived to see it.

In convertendo Dominus captivitatem Sion,
factu sumus quasi somniantes.
Tunc repletum est gaudio os nostrum,
et lingua nostra exsultatione. [Ps125]

Bishop Brown of Orange, please copy.