Support this Catholic priest in his efforts

Fr. Joseph M. Cooper, a priest of the Diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire, is working to bring the old rite back to the diocese. I would urge Catholics in and around the Diocese to contact him at: (603) 669-3100 ext. 165, and to voice their support of this important endeavour.

Fr. Cooper may also be contacted at: jcooper@rcbm.org

Pope John Paul II, in his Apostolic Letter Ecclesia Dei, given Motu Proprio, had this to say regarding the old rite:

"..respect must everywhere be shown for the feelings of all those who are attached to the Latin liturgical tradition, by a wide and generous application of the directives already issued some time ago by the Apostolic See for the use of the Roman Missal according to the typical edition of 1962."

Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI had this to say some years back in the book Salt of the Earth (which is published by Ignatius Press):

"I am of the opinion, to be sure, that the old rite should be granted much more generously to all those who desire it. It's impossible to see what could be dangerous or unacceptable about that. A community is calling its very being into question when it suddenly declares that what until now was its holiest and highest possession is strictly forbidden and when it makes the longing for it seem downright indecent."

Vatican II said that:

"Particular law remaining in force, the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites" (Sacrosanctum Concilium -Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy - No. 36).

Bringing the old rite back to the Diocese would only serve to foster both healing and renewal and would have the effect of bringing many Catholics back to the sacraments. The Latin Mass movement is primarily a youth movement. For years I attended the Latin Mass at both St. Benedict Abbey and St. Ann House in Still River, Massachusetts. And I have seldom witnessed more reverence for the liturgy.

Let us all pray for Fr. Cooper. That his efforts will be blessed with success and that he will be filled with every good thing he needs to accomplish God's Holy Will.

Paul.