"A Church is not a liturgical self-service facility," according to the Bishop of Chartres in an interview prior to the Chartres Pilgrimage
Traditionalist Pentecost Pilgrimage: "A Church is not a liturgical self-service facility," according to the Bishop of Chartres
A few days before its launch, the traditionalist Pentecost pilgrimage, which will take place between Paris and Chartres from June 7 to 9, is already causing controversy. The Bishop of Chartres is asking the organizers to allow priests who wish to do so to celebrate Mass in the current rite during the pilgrimage in Eure-et-Loir.
"A priest who does not wish to celebrate in the traditional form because it is not his style, it is legitimate for him to celebrate in the current form with his group or chapter during the pilgrimage of the Notre-Dame de Chrétienté association," states the Bishop of Chartres, Mgr Philippe Christory.
This is what we call a clarification. The Bishop of Chartres, Mgr Philippe Christory, has asked the Notre-Dame de Chrétienté Association, which organizes the traditionalist pilgrimage between Paris and Chartres, from June 7 to 9, 2025, not to prohibit priests who wish to do so from celebrating Mass according to the current rite of the Church during the event in Eure-et-Loir.
When contacted, the Association's leaders did not respond to our requests. The Bishop explains the reasons for his action.
What do you criticize the Notre-Dame de Chrétienté Association, which organizes the traditionalist pilgrimage between Paris and Chartres during the Pentecost weekend?
The Notre-Dame de Chrétienté association has the right to exist. The Church recognizes that the faithful can associate freely; this is normal. But it is pursuing its project, which aims to promote a liturgy of the past.
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However, there are other motivations for making this pilgrimage beyond this tradition: the joy of walking and praying together, the challenge of covering 105 km, and the beauty of the landscapes.
Although there is a great diversity of participants, the association requests that priests celebrate Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation only in the ancient form (Editor's note: the Tridentine Rite, with Mass in Latin, according to the texts in force before Vatican II, with the celebrant facing away from the faithful).
What did you ask the pilgrimage organizers?
Taking advice, which I did extensively, I first said that I did not recognize the authority they claim, what is called the Magisterium. Because in the Church, it is the bishop who has authority in matters of liturgy.
"An association like theirs has no authority over the liturgy in the territory under the bishop's jurisdiction. It has no authority to require priests who will be in that territory during the pilgrimage to celebrate only in the ancient form, when the normal form of the Church is the Paul VI Mass, with the sacrament of forgiveness in that form as well."
Bishop Philippe Christory (Bishop of Chartres)
This is a fundamental problem. Can the association recognize the bishop's authority or not? In a letter I addressed to the president of the Notre-Dame de Chrétienté association, I request that priests celebrate these sacraments in the current form of the liturgy, but for the good of the faithful attached to the traditional form, I authorize priests who request it to celebrate in the traditional form, on Sundays and Mondays, in the Eure-et-Loir region. The nuance may be subtle, but it puts the bishop's authority back in its proper place.
Have you been approached by priests who wish to celebrate according to the current form and who were unable to do so during previous pilgrimages?
Yes, absolutely. This pilgrimage attracts many priests attached to this traditional aspect, but also priests who accompany the faithful who are happy to walk and are not at all part of the traditional movement.
When registering, the Association asks that priests check a box saying "I commit to celebrating only in the traditional form." They cannot be forced to do so. It's an abuse of power.
The Bishop of the Diocese of Chartres, Mgr Philippe Christory.
Have you received a response from the president of the Notre-Dame de Chrétienté association since you sent him that letter in mid-May?
No, not officially. It turns out I ran into him. He told me he had received my letter and would pay attention to what I had to say, but I haven't heard from him since. It was an unexpected encounter. We crossed paths on a train. Was it by chance or providential, I don't know.
Why is this clarification coming this year and not before?
The spirit that animates us is a spirit of dialogue. Time is necessary for everyone to make their way toward mutual understanding and, as Pope Benedict XVI requested, mutual enrichment.
"My approach does not at all block the Pentecost pilgrimage. I never intended to do so. The idea of dialogue allows us to move forward."
Mgr Philippe Christory (Bishop of Chartres)
There are real issues, such as having the same biblical texts during Masses in both forms of the rite, the current lectionary being richer than the old one. Over the past fifty years, many saints have been canonized by different popes. It would be good if the faithful attached to the old form took the list of the Church's current saints, and not an old list.
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Who are the believers who participate in the Chartres Pentecost pilgrimage? In past years, our dissatisfaction at seeing priests prevented from celebrating in the current form of the liturgy has been clearly expressed. But this has not been followed by action.
"Today, we are reminded that it is the bishop who has authority. It is part of tradition to say this. It is not something I invented. At the same time, we French people listen to what the Church in Rome says."
Bishop Philippe Christory (Bishop of Chartres)
Precisely what does the Vatican say about the traditionalist pilgrimage from Paris to Chartres?
Rome both recognizes that this pilgrimage has value since it brings together many people who come to pray, but is also surprised that in a French cathedral, in this case the one in Chartres, a symbol of the communion of all the bishops and the Church, there is this liturgical form that is not that of the Church today.
There is some questioning in Rome regarding this issue, but we are trying to move towards dialogue rather than making arbitrary and abrupt decisions.
Have you considered banning the Tridentine Rite Mass in the cathedral during this pilgrimage?
The question arises, because it's true that we are in a borderline situation, but I haven't considered banning it. I'm asking myself this question while listening to other bishops in France who have a positive opinion. I think we shouldn't be too aggressive. I hope we are one Church, engaging in dialogue and moving forward.
I hope everyone takes steps, including traditionalists. Pope Francis affirmed that the current liturgy, the liturgy of the Second Vatican Council, is the one that suits the entire Church and brings grace to the faithful.
"A Church is not a liturgical self-service, where everyone attends according to what moves their heart or according to their attachment to one language rather than another, especially Latin."
Bishop Philippe Christory (Bishop of Chartres)
There is a choice of communion which, in my view, must take precedence over an individual attachment to a particular form of liturgy.
There is a choice of communion which, from my point of view, must take precedence over any individual attachment to a particular form of liturgy, especially if it is no longer the Church's liturgy.
Why did you want to give the homily at the pilgrimage Mass in the cathedral on Monday?
I'm going to preside at this Mass, as usual, but I'm not celebrating, because there's a celebrant. It's been planned for a year that I would give the homily, because of the jubilees: there's the great jubilee of the Church of Rome and ours too at the cathedral, where we're celebrating the 1,000th anniversary of the crypt.
The game being played. See
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