Tridentine Mass

The Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite

Following our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI’s July 7, 2007, motu proprio entitled Summorum Pontificum, the University of Notre Dame became one of the first Roman Catholic universities in the country to offer a formal, positive pastoral response through its Office of Campus Ministry. In conjunction with the Congregation of Holy Cross and Notre Dame’s Office of Student Affairs, Campus Ministry at the University of Notre Dame made known its intent to offer the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (the Tridentine Mass using the 1962 Missal of Blessed Pope John XXIII) in accordance with Summorum Pontificum as soon as possible once our Holy Cross priests could (re)familiarize themselves with the Latin and the rubrics of this Sacred Liturgy.

Sunday Scriptures:
June 29, 2008
Feast of Saints Peter and Paul
Epistle – Acts 12:1-11
Gospel – Matt 16:13-19

The Tridentine Mass at Notre Dame becomes a reality…

On Sunday, October 14, 2007, in the Saint Charles Borromeo Chapel of Alumni Hall, the University of Notre Dame began its celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (the Tridentine Mass) for the first time on campus in nearly 40 years. Father Thomas Blantz, CSC, a Holy Cross priest and Professor of History at Notre Dame, celebrated the Mass with the assistance of two Altar Servers and a large congregation comprised of Notre Dame students, staff, and faculty, which filled the chapel to capacity. More photos will be available shortly.

What should I expect if I go?

When you attend the Tridentine Mass for the first time, you might notice a number of differences. Perhaps most noticable (and as pictured at the top of this page), the Holy Mass is celebrated with the priest facing the Altar ad orientem, or to the east in the same direction as the people, as he leads the faithful on their pilgrim journey toward God. If you are used to attending the Ordinary Form of the Mass (as celebrated on campus at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and in all residence hall chapels), many of the prayers and responses will be familiar to you, though they will be in Latin and perhaps with a bit different wording than you might be used to. For more helpful hints on what to expect at the Tridentine Mass, click here. Additional information on the spirituality and the order of the Tridentine Mass can be obtained from the ‘Links’ section at the bottom of this page.

When & where is the Tridentine Mass at Notre Dame?

The Tridentine Mass at Notre Dame will surely become a mainstay of our campus’s rich Catholic liturgical life, complementing well the over 40 Sunday Masses (and over 100 Masses weekly) already offered in the Ordinary Form at Notre Dame. While the University is in session, a Tridentine Low (recited) Mass will be offered for members of the Notre Dame community in the Saint Charles Borromeo Chapel of Alumni Hall at 8:00 am on Sundays. Students, faculty, and staff who attend are asked to enter Alumni Hall only through the Chapel door that faces north, toward the South Quad.

Fall Semester 2008 Tridentine Mass Schedule

University of Notre Dame du Lac

Coming soon.

University of Notre Dame

Office of Campus Ministry