Traditional Catholicism also gaining ground in Paris

The Parisian faithful who demonstrate in front of the archdiocese during the week between noon and two, but also those who pray and mobilise for the restoration of the masses and places suppressed by Mgr Aupetit, communicate:

"On the BFMTV website, an article by Céline Hussonnois-Alaya on 9 April developed this theme at some length: 'They are creeping up on us little by little. Are traditionalists gaining ground in the Church? Traditionalist celebrations seem to be attracting more and more of the faithful.  One priest in Seine-Saint-Denis "regrets what he sees as a traditionalist shift in the Church. "It's spreading at an incredible speed," he says. Jean-Benoît Poulle, an associate professor of history, estimates the number of French traditionalists at between 100,000 and 200,000 (but we know from the Paix Liturgique surveys that they are much more numerous) ), a total which may seem low but not in relation to the general decline of Catholicism.

And in fact, the influence of traditionalism is great, notes Céline Hussonnois-Alaya, which manifests itself in many forms: "a revival of Tridentine Masses, celebrated according to the old ritual; more texts and prayers in Latin, incense, aspersions and kneeling; communion in the mouth; priests dressed in the liturgical vestments of the pre-reform period...". The historian Yves Chiron, who is close to traditionalism, is quoted as saying: "Latin Masses and Gregorian chants are not the same as French Masses with poor music.

But above all, the article notes, the phenomenon is young: "The 'tradi' mass appears to be newer and the mass in French, an old thing. This creates a kind of generational conflict that could accentuate the malaise of Catholicism. (Jean-Benoît Poulle). The Chartres pilgrimage brings together more and more pilgrims each year - 15,000 in 2022 - with an average age of 21. "In the seminaries, vocations are more traditionalist. Last year, some 122 priests were ordained. Of these, between a fifth and a quarter were ordained according to the ancient rite.

More than in the countryside, where Catholicism is, alas, disappearing, this traditionalisation is visible in the city, in the Ile-de-France and especially in Paris. So Archbishop Ulrich, responding to Jean-Marie Guénois in Le Figaro (Mgr Ulrich: "My priority is the personal follow-up of priests" (lefigaro.fr)), was extremely cautious when the journalist asked him about this subject: "What is your fundamental position on the traditionalist question? - There are five places in Paris where the liturgy can be celebrated in the ancient Ordo. That's not nothing. They have been maintained and are distributed so that they can be easily reached. My conviction is that the particularity of the Latin Church is based on its rite, which has always given it its unity. In my youth, after the Second Vatican Council, I saw situations that justified opposition to the new rite, because it was mistreated. This is no longer the case today. Overall, the celebration of the liturgy is beautiful and dignified. It corresponds to what the Church wants and demands. Some people need to keep this liturgy and it should be kept for them for a while. But I think that the treasure of the liturgy is fulfilled and developed according to what the Church asks us to celebrate.

Many people have a very difficult time with the liturgical restrictions imposed by the Pope... [...] I have met the people you mention. I have received them and I respect them; this is what I have also shown in my previous dioceses. I regret very much that people are divided on this point. But I believe that obedience to the Church is also a virtue. As I wrote in my first pastoral letter, I say to them again: each of you, I love you as children of God and as faithful of Christ.

As Riposte catholique notes, the Archbishop of Paris "walks on Easter eggs" (Mgr Ulrich walks on Easter eggs - Riposte-catholique): "There is some 'at the same time' in these answers. He respects us, but he would like us to obey. There are enough places of worship for us, but the new liturgy is beautiful and dignified, but... ".

In short, the time is clearly ripe. The Archbishop of France's largest city could make a simple gesture to the faithful who wish to pray in the traditional rite and who represent one of the last living forces of Catholicism, as well as to a number of his priests who find in it a spiritual support and a source of inspiration: to leave the freedom to his clergy to celebrate in the traditional rite according to the needs, the demands of the faithful, the sensitivity of the priests.

Freedom. Let us not slacken off! We carry this intention of freedom by saying the rosary on Wednesdays, at 5pm at Saint-Georges de La Villette, every Sunday, at 6:30pm in front of Notre-Dame du Travail, and in front of the offices of the Archbishop's palace, 10 rue du Cloître-Notre-Dame, Monday to Friday, from 1pm to 1:30pm. 

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