Your gift counts double until 5/31: $24,002 to go in our Easter Campaign. Please help now!

Extraordinary form Mass at high altar of St. Peter’s Basilica

CWN - May 16, 2011

For the first time in over four decades, a solemn Pontifical Mass in the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite has been offered at the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter’s Basilica. Cardinal Walter Brandmüller, who served as President of the Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences from 1998 to 2009, was the celebrant at the May 15 Mass, taking the place of Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera, who had been scheduled to attend.

Additional sources for this story
Some links will take you to other sites, in a new window.

An appeal from our founder, Dr. Jeffrey Mirus:

Dear reader: If you found the information on this page helpful in your pursuit of a better Catholic life, please support our work with a donation. Your donation will help us reach five million Truth-seeking readers worldwide this year. Thank you!

Easter Campaign:
Progress toward our Spring 2013 goal ($24,002 to go):
$80,000.00 $55,997.55
30% 70%
Sound Off! CatholicCulture.org supporters weigh in.

All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!

Show 2 Comments? (Hidden)Hide Comments
  • Posted by: Obregon - May. 17, 2011 2:04 AM ET USA

    I never thought I would see the day when the holy Mass according to the Extraordinary Rite would be celebrated at St. Peter's Basilica after so many years of oblivium.

  • Posted by: parochus - May. 16, 2011 8:06 PM ET USA

    There is no "high altar" in St. Peter's Basilica in the sense that most people understand. In fact, the Clementine Altar under the Baldacchino allows the Holy Father to celebrate Mass "ad orientem" since it's facing east.

Catholic World News Email Newsletter
Donate to Support this Site: Your contribution will be put to good work.
Tour the CatholicCulture.org Site
Shop Amazon to Raise Money for Catholic Culture

Recent Catholic Commentary

The Rise and Fall of the (American?) Church 18 hours ago
The Ideal of Pope Francis: the Servant Church May 23
The sad decline of self-government May 22
That impromptu exorcism again May 22
The Mystery of the Spirit May 21

Top Catholic News

Most Important Stories of the Last 30 Days
Pope strongly supports call for reform in religious life CWN - May 8