TLM Lexington, KY: Saturday is for Our Lady

Woke up this morning in Lexington, KY. This is horse country, friends, and didn’t see a single horse. What I did see is a Latin mass in another church named for St Francis de Sales.

By the way, de Sales is the patron of writers. I’m sensing a pattern that the patron of writers is following this writer around.

This parish, in horse country, in Lexington, KY, named for the patron of writers, is run by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. Side note: YouTuber Anthony Stine of “Return to Tradition” continually refers to the FSSP as the “Fraternal Society of St. Peter”. Wrong. It’s from the Latin for their name: (Fraternitas Sacerdotalis Sancti Petri – Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter). But I’ll allow it since I generally like his daily content. What’s interesting here is that the “parish” is more of a Latin mass mission run out of a Novus Ordo parish. It was a little jarring that there was a Cranmer table set up between the priest and me. What can you do?…

Most interesting of all was what happened after mass. I had just stepped outside when a man in his 20’s approached me. “Sir?” he said. “Can I ask you a question?” I love questions. I have kids. I’m game. “This is my very first Latin mass. I noticed you making the sign of the cross a few times and kneeling and standing… How do you know when to do that?”

I saw he had the infamous “red book” in his hand. I asked him a few questions. Turns out this was his very first Latin mass ever. He had been “looking for something more traditional” after years of attending NO masses. My advice, which isn’t too important; was to simply keep coming. “Give it a month,” I said. “You’ll have it down in no time. In fact, put the book down and just pray. Watch the priest. You’ll figure it out.”

What I loved about this exchange is the hope that even one man is here. One man who wanted something more. He’s here. And I bet he’s in your TLM parish too. Get to know him. Show him what to do. Build it back up.

Virgin most faithful, pray for us!