Office of Worship

The Office of Worship or Liturgy is at the service of all persons living in the Diocese of Trenton. We support our bishop, the chief liturgist of the diocese, in his efforts to teach the Gospel of Jesus, especially through the celebrations of the Eucharist.

The Diocese of Trenton Celebration of the Mass in the Extraordinary Form (Traditional Latin Mass)

Pope Benedict XVI has allowed and encouraged the Extraordinary Form of the Holy Mass (also known as the Traditional Latin Mass) to be more widely available to those who desire it.  In answering the call of our Holy Father, the Bishop of Trenton, David M. O' Connell, has designated that the Reverend Brian Patrick Woodrow be appointed Liaison to the Diocese of Trenton Celebration of the Mass in the Extraordinary Form (Traditional Latin Mass).

A Message from Rev. Brian Patrick Woodrow

I am excited to welcome you to participate in the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass. This is the Mass that developed from antiquity and was standardized by the Council of Trent in 1570. From then on it remained virtually unchanged as the form of our liturgical life until 1969 when the liturgy we are familiar with, the “Novus Ordo,” or New Order, was introduced. Through this profound connection to our history the Traditional Latin Mass exemplifies the ritual tradition of Roman Catholicism, and was even called our “holiest and highest possession” by Cardinal Ratzinger seven years before he became Pope Benedict XVI (“Salt of the Earth”, Josef Cardinal Ratzinger).

Celebrating the Traditional Mass is yet another step closer to the heart of the liturgy. The Mass is our opportunity to worship God, and the Traditional Mass brings us to a new height of worship through its rich symbols, finely detailed ritual, and sublime words. For now, the Traditional Mass may seem foreign to us, but as the language of our ordinary Mass changes, we will become better acquainted with the Latin roots of our liturgical life and better suited to participate in the “extraordinary form,” as our pope has dubbed the Traditional Mass.

I encourage you to come and experience it for yourself. No special education or knowledge of Latin is needed, just a willingness to give it a try and a desire to offer your devotion to God through the heavenly beauty of an ancient ritual.

Pax,
Rev. Brian Patrick Woodrow
Diocesan Liaison to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite
LatinMassTrenton.org

Traditional Latin Mass Altar Servers

For boys and young men, age twelve and older

Join the fastest-growing altar server team in the area!  As of January 20, 2012 the team already boasts 18 guys. Training sessions are currently in progress, and will be scheduled most often on Friday evenings.  If interested, please fill out the sign-up sheet at the luncheon after every Mass, or send an email to the Altar Server Team Email Address:  UsusAntiquior070707@gmail.com

Altar Server Team Training Schedule