"MONSEIGNEUR, WE DO NOT WANT THIS PEACE"
By FR. GUERARD DES LAURIERS O.P.
"You celebrated the "innovated Mass" from the beginning of April 1969 until 24th December 1971."On 5th May 1969 some friends who held you in high esteem, among whom was the signatory of these lines, had come to be present at the Mass which you celebrated at the altar where lie the remains of St. Pius V in the Roman basilica of St. Mary Major. Astonishment, scandal and grief! Upon the very tomb of St. Pius V it was the "innovated Mass" which you celebrated! On the way out, you were confronted on the piazza by a respectful, though sorrowful, enquiry to which you declared. "If Mgr. Lefebvre were seen to celebrate the traditional Mass there would be danger of scandal."To these same friends who were labouring with your encouragement on the elaboration of the text which later became the "Letter of Cardinals Bacci and Ottaviani", you gave comforting assurances:-"We shall have six hundred bishops." That was certainly something to convince the Pope! Well... there was not a single Bishop, not one, and not even you. In fact, in reality, you were more concerned about "not giving scandal" than about defending the truth. (...)You continued to celebrate the "innovated Mass" at Fribourg and at Econe. The initial hopes bore fruit nevertheless, Bernard Tissier, de Malleray, Paul Aulagnier, Bernard Waltz and three others. On Christmas Day at the end of lunch, the Dominican Father whose signature is below and who was then staying at Econe remarked, with gentle irony, "Monseigneur, it is a pity that, while maintaining Tradition, you have been celebrating something called a "New Mass" which is not the Mass of Tradition." This simple remark really set the house on fire. The "six", all your living hope exploded. Each in his way, and all together repeated the same message to you:-"How is it possible to establish fidelity to Tradition on a 'Mass' which was 'innovated' in opposition to Tradition?" The incident was very vehement and, moreover, quickly closed. (...) On that night of 24-25th December 1971 at the Midnight Mass, to the great joy of everyone, you returned to the rite promulgated by St. Pius V.(...)
Maundy Thursday(signed) Guerard des Lauriers O.P.
(signed) Guerard des Lauriers O.P.12th April 1979 for a group of the faithful who
for a group of the faithful whoIn memoriam, cling to tradition.
cling to tradition. Maundy Thursday
3rd April 1969.
the date of the promulgation of the Novus Ordo. (Translator).
