Paix liturgique

The meeting took place in the auditorium of the *Augustinianum* on *Via Paolo VI*, where, as in every year, we were graciously welcomed by the institution’s administration. The gathering allowed representatives of those who support the traditional liturgy worldwide to exchange experiences, discuss the challenges encountered, and examine the growth of this liturgy—which is particularly impressive in certain places, such as the United States. The discussions, moderated by Professor Ruben Pereto from Mendoza (Argentina), centred on presentations by Abbé Claude Barthe, the pilgrimage’s chaplain, Sebastian Ostritsch from Stuttgart, the novelist Natalia Sanmartín Fenollera, from Madrid, the American Vatican correspondent based in Rome, Diane Montagna; the president of *Renaissance Catholique*, Jean-Pierre Maugendre, from Paris; Jorge O'Reilly, from Buenos Aires; and, finally, yours truly.

Might I venture to say that these exchanges were truly synodal? We spoke, but above all, we listened and exchanged ideas. I will highlight just one of the points discussed, one that struck everyone as particularly important: within a Catholic world currently undergoing a profound crisis, it is vital for Catholic laypeople to organize high-quality educational structures, firmly rooted in traditional worship and the traditional catechism. These traditional schools, spearheaded by the laity, contribute significantly to the enduring presence and perennity of the traditional faith and liturgy.

Within the deeply moving setting of the Pantheon, we were welcomed fraternally by Monsignor Micheletti, pastor of San Lorenzo in Lucina and rector of the Pantheon. Bishop Schneider presided over the Pontifical Vespers—organized, like the Mass on Saturday, by the Institute of the Good Shepherd—which began (or, rather, burst forth) with the *Deus in adjutorium meum intende, Domine ad adjuvandum me festina* from Monteverdi’s Vespers of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The choir, which brought a distinctly Baroque character to the service, was the *Cappella Musicale* of the Pantheon itself. In his sermon, Bishop Schneider addressed the themes of liturgy and tradition, citing Dom Prosper Guéranger: "The liturgy is tradition itself, in its highest degree of power and solemnity." He also cited Saint Vincent of Lérins: "True piety admits no other rule than that of faithfully transmitting to our children what was faithfully transmitted to us by our fathers [... We must] preserve and protect what we have received from our predecessors, so that antiquity is maintained and novelty is rejected."

We gathered in front of the small basilica of Saints Celsus and Julian—served by the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest—in the *rione* Ponte, where we prayed the Holy Rosary.

Then, preceded by the Processional Cross, we moved forward, crossing the Sant'Angelo Bridge, through Via della Conciliazione toward Saint Peter’s Basilica.

Two letters from the Secretariat of State had caused us great distress. The first, dated August 7, informed us that, "for this year," it was not possible to grant our request to celebrate Mass at Saint Peter’s. We took note of this; nevertheless, in a letter dated September 8, we requested to enter the Basilica in procession—just as we had done peacefully during our fourteen previous pilgrimages—in order to pray for the Holy Father before the *Confession* and, subsequently, to adore the Blessed Sacrament. However, in a completely incomprehensible manner, the Secretariat of State informed us, in a letter dated September 30, that such permission could not be granted. Our procession came to a halt just beyond Piazza Pio XII, where we sang the Creed and dispersed peacefully—though with heavy hearts for having been treated in such a manner, as if we were unwelcome.

How could it come to pass that our pilgrimage—well-known in Rome and graced in the past by the presence of prelates such as Cardinals Cañizares, Castrillón, Brandmüller, Comastri, Zuppi, Müller, Burke, and Simoni, as well as Monsignors Pozzo, Laise, Sample, Kozon, Rey, Eleganti, Sciacca, Bacqué, and Levada, along with Abbot Pateau, Monsignor Descourtieux, and Monsignor Agostini—was denied entry into the basilica of the Common Father?

It should be noted that the basilica was not closed to the pilgrims, who were able to enter individually. No obstacles or barriers were installed, contrary to what may have been claimed. The Italian police and the Vatican Gendarmerie were extremely courteous, and there were no incidents or any sense of tension.

In the afternoon, the Liberian Basilica was packed for the Mass celebrated at the high altar by Bishop Schneider; it was a low Mass somewhat solemnized (or "prelatial low Mass"), accompanied by the celestial singing of the Lisson Grove Choir (or *Cantores Sanctæ Mariæ*) from London. It was, in short, the high point of our pilgrimage. In this basilica—the mother of the countless churches throughout Christendom dedicated to the Mother of God—Bishop Schneider spoke about the traditional Mass, which has never been abolished. He implored the *Regina Pacis* (Queen of Peace)—venerated at this site—to bring peace to us, Catholics who are treated "as second-class Catholics." Nevertheless, he emphasized that we harbour no bitterness: "They continue to love their Mother, the Church of Rome, even if, for the moment, they do not feel understood by her."

I would like to clarify—as was stated in a communiqué on our website—that the Cardinal Archpriest and the Master of Liturgical Celebrations extended a warm welcome to us and were extremely willing to cooperate. Furthermore, I should note that the one-and-a-half-hour duration planned for our celebration is in line with the basilica’s standard practices and was agreed upon from the outset, as were the arrangements for the celebration of the *Missa Prelatitia* (Mass celebrated by a prelate).

On the Sunday of Christ the King, we took part in the Solemn Mass that concluded the pilgrimage at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity of the Pilgrims (*Trinità dei Pellegrini*)— the personal parish of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. The Mass was celebrated by our chaplain and once again featured music by the Lisson Grove Choir. In addition, two Masses of thanksgiving were held: one *Missa Prelatitia*, officiated by Bishop Schneider at the Church of St. John of the Florentines (*San Giovanni dei Fiorentini*), and a Solemn Mass at the Church of St. Anne at the Lateran (*Sant'Anna in Laterano*), presided over by Monsignor Marco Agostini.

Despite the lack of official recognition and the fact that the pilgrimage was not hosted within St. Peter’s Basilica, our pilgrimage proved to be a great source of consolation for the pilgrims, some of whom have travelled from very far away. We have endeavoured to dispel any unfounded controversy; nevertheless, we are still awaiting explanations regarding the reasons for the treatment we received.

Furthermore, we are already preparing the 16th *Summorum Pontificum* pilgrimage to the Tomb of the Apostle, scheduled for October 2027, in support of liturgical peace through the freedom of the traditional liturgy. (In the meantime, I would like to remind everyone of the 16th colloquium of the International Centre for Liturgical Studies —CIEL—, which will take place in Rome on Thursday, February 4, 2027, and will focus on the theme "Liturgical Languages": https://www.asso-ciel.org/).

These pilgrimages bear witness to the fact that we are Roman with every fibre of our being. See you next year—October 29, 30, and 31, 2027!