Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Pilgrims sing the praises of Latin

The Tridentine Mass is being revived by young Catholics while walking to Chartres Cathedral

Religion may well be in decline among European youth but it is by no means dead. This weekend about 6,000 young Catholics will set off on a 75-mile walk from Paris to Chartres Cathedral — and as they walk they will all be praying and singing in Latin....

This weekend’s annual three-day pilgrimage through northern France, which is in its 26th year, illustrates the appeal that the Tridentine Mass has for some young Catholics disenchanted with what they say is the lack of mystery, beauty and sacredness in the revised Mass....

The pilgrims follow part of one of the ancient routes to the shrine of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. They walk in small groups. Some sing the rosary in Latin; others make their confession to one of the traditionalist priests who accompany them. On Saturday and Sunday nights they camp in fields.

About 90 per cent of those making the pilgrimage are between 19 and 25.....“You don’t meet many young practising Catholics nowadays, so it’s a great opportunity to encourage each other. When I come back, I feel, yes, it is possible to live out your faith in the modern world..."
A friend sent me some of his pictures a few years back from one of the pilgrimages he took to the Chartres Cathedral. From what I could tell, the Cathedral is beautiful and displays the love and reverence previous generations had toward Our Lord and His Church. What a joy it must be for those who are blessed to be able to make this pilgrimage.

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