Cardinal Zen of Hong Kong to offer Traditional Latin Mass in Cebu

A cardinal participating in the 51^st Eucharistic Congress in Cebu is set to offer the Holy Mass in the Extraordinary Form, popularly known as the Traditional Latin Mass, in Asilo de Milagrosa, Gorordo Ave., Cebu City on Tuesday, January 26 at 4:30 in the afternoon. His Eminence Joseph Cardinal Zen will celebrate a pontifical Votive Mass of the Most Blessed Sacrament for the success of the congress.

Cardinal Zen, a Chinese national and bishop emeritus of Hong Kong, was elevated to the College of Cardinals last 2006 by then Pope Benedict XVI. He is one of the high ranking Church officials participating in the Eucharistic Congress, set to give a testimony about the defense of human rights, political freedom, and religious liberty amid criticisms from the communist government of China.

The Mass he will offer, the Traditional Latin Mass, is the form of celebrating Mass before the changes of the Second Vatican Council. It follows the Missal of 1962. In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI issued a letter in which he called this Mass the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite and clarified that this form of the Mass has never been abrogated or abolished. Benedict has pointed out that even today, the Church can find benefit in celebrating the Mass this way, and it can enrich the way we worship now.

The Holy Mass is organized and assisted by members of the Societas Ecclesia Dei Sancti Ioseph – Una Voce Philippines. The organizers have clarified that this Mass is open to the public and, thus, no tickets will be issued.