The shape of things to come
Once dead, now alive
Bishops of the world, take note
of this article from the ever-excellent Kreuz.net
A Church in a Dutch Diocese was going to be suppressed but then traditionalists set themselves to work.
The Fraternity of St Peters has been caring for the Church of St Agnes in Amsterdam since December 2006. The Fraternity came at the express with of the Parish Council. The priest of St Agnes, Fr F Braam is going into retirement in 2008. The Diocese could not find a successor. The Church was going to be closed.
It was for this reason that the Parish Council invited the Fraternity of St Peters for a six month trial period.
And it bore fruit- the Fraternity reports this in theApril edition of their monthly news. In as little as three months, the participation of the Faithful in the Masses has increased enormously. The number of confessions has grown “considerably”. The Fraternity had to find servers and children and youth are in the Church once again.
Father Braam wishes them much success.
Introducing the traditional liturgy has effected many changes “Many unknown Faithful from many areas arrive for the Sunday Mass”. The Church has been given a new life.
The members of the Parish Church are very satisfied with the arrival of the Fraternity.
A parishioners, Udit Kolster remembers how low the number of Faithful was at the Sunday Mass and how the life of the Church was almost extinguished. Then suddenly, a young father came and in a short space of time, the Church received a new lease of life.
The Church of St Agnes has become a place of a renewed and invigorated Faith for many.
“The profundity of the Tridentine Mass has attracted many newcomers and has led to many interesting conversations on the deepening of Faith”.
Some Faithful also stay after the Sunday Mass to drink a cup of coffee. The head of the Parish Council finds that the old Mass is completely integrated into the structure of the Church.
“Although a short time has passed, we can already say that the Parishioners of St Agnes are very happy about the developments”.
The Father can often be seen on his bicycle bringing the sick Holy Communion and next year they will offer Catechism for the children.
More photos.
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Comments
And other churches in central Amsterdam (all of course NO) are by no means deserted - the Jesuit Krijtberg, and Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk) - Opus Dei I think - as well as the glorious Sint Nicolaaskerk by the station are pretty full on Sunday mornings, and all have quite good amateur choirs and music - the Krijtberg both a mixed choir singing Viennese and other choral music, and then at a later mass a choir of men singing plainchant - both these masses have the Latin propers. SintAgnes is though welcome - the ceremonies at the other churches are pretty perfunctory, which is a shame given the splendour of the buildings and their attempts to have ambitious music.