A word often springs to mind
when I find myself thinking
about our Latin Mass
with the SSPX.
That word is – privileged.

I feel truly privileged
to participate in this Latin Mass
that has been passed down to us
through the centuries.

The same Mass that was celebrated
by the early Church.

The same Mass that was celebrated
in Celtic Ireland
by Saints Patrick, Columba
and Fiachra.

The same Mass that was celebrated
by our ancestors
in Penal times
in the hills of Derry and Inis Eoghain
and in the Sperrin mountains
surrounding Draperstown.

The same Mass celebrated
in the Long Tower chapel
in Derry
when Granny Roddy
was a wee girl
and the chapel had
a clay floor.

A Mass passed down to us
through many centuries,
unchanged,
uncompromised.

A Mass preserved for us
by the SSPX
who direct us
to mould our daily lives
so that they fit around our faith
instead of diluting our faith
to fit comfortably
into modern daily life.

Courageous teaching,
faith without compromise.
Indeed, I feel truly privileged.

© Claire Murray, 7th September 2023