For Newcomers

A Word to Newcomers

You are most welcome to come and assist at Mass here at St. Michael the Archangel Church. Please be advised of the following dress code and rules regarding the reception of Holy Communion: According to Apostolic Tradition and out of respect for our Lord’s presence in the Most Blessed Sacrament, the faithful must dress modestly while in the church and assisting at Holy Mass. Hence, please observe the dress code.

Dress Code:

Modesty in dress is very important, not only in church, but also outside of church. At the famous apparitions in Fatima, Portugal, it was revealed to the children a vision of hell. Our Lady revealed to them many souls being lost to the fires of hell due to sins of impurity. It is important for our souls to be pure in mind, heart, and body. The faithful are admonished to not only think, act, and speak in a pure fashion, but also to develop a love for the virtue of purity; this includes a love for modesty in dress.

Women and girls should wear a modest dress and cover their heads with either a hat or chapel veil. Short skirts or dresses that are above the knees, revealing blouses (such as low cut, sleeveless or see-through), slacks or shorts of any length do not meet the norms of Christian modesty.

Men and boys should be wearing neat trousers, a coat, jacket or a dress sweater and tie. Jeans, shorts, open shirts, sneakers and other such casual dress are inappropriate and do not meet the standards for assisting at Holy Mass.

Please be advised that the priest reserves the right to refuse Holy Communion to anyone who, in his prudent judgment, does not meet the requirements of the Rules for Receiving Holy Communion.  No one, other than the pastor, or visiting priest — if applicable — will reproach any newcomer, who in good faith, does not knowingly meet the criteria mentioned above.

Policy for the Reception of Holy Communion:

Since the close of the Second Vatican Council in 1965, a revolution has taken place in the Catholic Church. The Mass has been changed. The Sacraments have been changed. And in so many places the doctrine, as well as the moral teaching, of the Church has been changed.

We believe these changes are irreconcilable with what the popes have taught, especially the pre-Vatican II popes of the last 200 years. And so we do not go along with the changes.

Until such time as Our Lord restores order and normalcy as regards the situation in the Church, we hold fast as St. Paul said, to the TRADITIONS.

In this chapel, only the traditional Latin Mass is celebrated. And we adhere without reservation or qualification to the traditional Catholic Faith and the unchangeable moral teaching of the Church.

We believe that as Catholics we have a right and a solemn duty to hold fast to the traditions as we have received them from the Church.
The rules for the reception of Holy Communion in this chapel are as follows:

One must accept and profess all the teachings of the Catholic Church. One must believe and abide by the traditional Catholic moral teaching, especially in regard to purity and marriage.

Therefore:

If someone has received an annulment since 1968, it is first necessary to talk to the priest outside the confessional before receiving Holy Communion. One must, of course, be in the state of sanctifying grace to receive Holy Communion, having made a good confession to a Catholic priest ordained.

Young people must be trained in the traditional Catechism, such as the Baltimore Catechism, and they must be tested in the traditional Catechism by a traditional priest. They must also have made a good confession to a traditional priest.

One must be fasting from solid foods and alcoholic beverages from midnight and from liquids for one hour. Water does not break the fast and may be taken at any time. If one, being in the state of grace, has resolved to attend only the traditional Mass offered validly.

Welcome! Thank you for your cooperation in these matters.