Unity of Faith Post-Traditionis Custodes and the 11:30 Latin Mass at the Basilica

Celebration of the 11:30 Latin Mass 
at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
 
Bishop Beckman has responded to the request of the universal Church that he implement Traditionis Custodes in the Diocese of Knoxville. All celebrations of the Traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese of Knoxville will transition from the 1962 edition of the Roman Missal to the current, 2002 Third Typical Edition of the Roman Missal by the end of 2025, unified under the Church’s current liturgical calendar and amplified cycle of Scripture readings. Refer to Fr. Carter’s Pastoral Letter on Unity of Faith, Post-Traditionis Custodes (October 12, 2025), for a full explanation about the new directive. Fr. Carter urges parishioners to respond with maturity of spirit, in humility and obedience.
 
Beginning on the Solemnity of Christ the King, November 23, 2025, the 11:30 Latin Mass at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul will be celebrated according to the Latin edition of the 2002 Roman Missal, with the most traditional options that the current rubrics allow. The 11:30 Latin Mass will continue to be very beautiful, reverent, and full of mystery and stillness.
 
The 11:30 Mass will be celebrated entirely in Latin, with the exception of the homily (in English as before) and the readings, which will be chanted in English by the priest. So much of what we enjoy in the Traditional Latin Mass will be present, yet in keeping with the current rubrics. Mass will be celebrated ad orientem (priest and people facing Liturgical East), with full use of incense and bells. The full Gregorian propers and Ordinary will be sung in Latin, including the Credo in Latin. The Confiteor will be said. The priest will pray the ancient Roman Canon (the long form of the Eucharistic Prayer). Holy Communion will be distributed by the clergy to the faithful kneeling at the altar rail. The altar servers will maintain the same amount of dignity and precision in fulfilling their ceremonial duties.
 
Beautiful vestments, especially Roman cut, will be used, including the cope, the maniple, and the biretta. The altar will be set with candles and ornate prayer cards. The celebration will be preceded by a solemn entrance procession and sprinkling of the people, and Mass will begin with the solemn introit and incensing of the altar. We will continue to sing the traditional Marian antiphon after Mass.

Letters and Homilies 

• Bishop Beckman's Letter to the Faithful regarding implementation of Traditionis Custodes (October 14, 2025)
• Homily 10-26-25: Transition of the Latin Mass: Sympathy and Hope - by Fr. David Carter (READ) (LISTEN)
• Homily 10-19-25: The Hermeneutic of Continuity in a Time of Transition - by Fr. David Carter (READ)
• Homily 10-19-25: 29th Sun OT C - Stewardship - by Dcn. Hicks Armor (READ)
• Homily 10-12-25: Unity in Faith Post-Traditionis Custodes- by Fr. David Carter (READ)

Background on Traditionis Custodes and the Celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass at the Basilica

Pope Francis's motu proprio,  Traditionis custodes, issued July 16, 2021, placed limitations on the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass. Following Traditionis custodes, the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul continued to offer the Latin Mass at 11:30am on Sundays, under the following condition noted by Bishop Stika:

"With the express provision that those attached to this more ancient form re-affirm their submission to the Roman Pontiff, the full teachings of the Second Vatican Council and the validity and liceity of the post-conciliar reforms of the liturgy, I wish to offer the opportunity for this liturgy to continue in the Diocese of Knoxville."  

- Most. Rev. Richard F. Stika, Bishop of Knoxville (July 21, 2021)

Read Bishop Stika's letter, Pope Francis' documents, and Fr. Carter's July 18 homily here.

In Fr. Carter's homily on 12/19/21, he encouraged the use of the Serenity Prayer.