Dear Friend of the Saint Gregory Society,

Having received an inquiry from one of the members of this email list about where to find the text of the motu proprio online, it seemed appropriate to forward a few links to everyone on the list, even though it is likely that in the process many of you will be hearing what you already know.

Most people who use the internet get their news from blogs these days, and there are a few important blogs that are devoted (at least in part) to the traditional Roman liturgy. The following selection is purely personal, and does not constitute an endorsement of everything one might read in these forums. The comment sections, in particular, can be a mixed bag; however, the authors of the blogs have proven themselves generally reliable, responsible, and edifying.

The text of “Summorum Pontificum” in the authoritative Latin, the current English translation, and translations into six other European languages, can be found in this post on “Rorate Caeli” blog, whose anonymous author, “New Catholic”, is perhaps one of the most important opinion shapers in traditional Catholic circles:

http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2007/07/papal-explanatory-letter-also-in-french.html

This page also contains links to the Pope’s explanatory letter to the world’s bishops, which accompanied the publication of the motu proprio, as well as various other official clarifications and reactions from important players (Holy See Press Office, the US Bishops Conference, the SSPX, et al.).

Other useful commentary may be found on the blogs “What Does the Prayer Really Say”, run by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, and “The New Liturgical Movement”, maintained by Shawn Tribe. Here’s a sampling of the initial reflections on “Summorum Pontificum” in these two places:

http://wdtprs.com/blog/2007/07/summorum-pontificum-my-intro-comments-and-the-text/  (note this Latinist’s view of the word “extraordinary”!)

http://thenewliturgicalmovement.blogspot.com/2007/07/brief-summary-of-pre-and-post-mp.html  (a brief summary of what has changed, in principle if not yet in practice)

Happy reading…or as we may now say with renewed pride in the Latin tradition of our faith: Tolle, lege!