In St. Paul, Minnesota, the Church of Saint Agnes is demonstrating a path forward for Catholics grappling with schism and theological divides. The parish, which offers a traditional Latin Rite Mass with the archbishop’s permission, emphasizes adherence to the Vatican while preserving ancient liturgical practices. This approach comes as Pope Leo XIV formally declared that the traditionalist group Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), founded to reject post-Vatican II reforms, has broken with the Catholic Church.
The Vatican excommunicated SSPX bishops and priests and warned its followers after the society consecrated four men as bishops in defiance of the Pope. While the Latin Rite itself was not the direct cause of the schism, the conflict has created suspicion and tension, impacting churches like Saint Agnes that are not affiliated with the SSPX but celebrate Mass in Latin.
“Our Catholic faith is a living tradition, and there is a difference between being rooted and being stuck,” said the Rev. John Ubel, the priest at Saint Agnes, in recent homilies. He expressed hope that those attached to Tradition would maintain full ecclesial communion with Pope Leo XIV.
Saint Agnes, founded for German-speaking immigrants, offers one traditional Latin Mass per weekend, alongside a modern Latin Mass and four in English. Ubel believes this coexistence is a model for the church, respecting various liturgical traditions in full charity. Peter Draganowski, a 15-year-old altar boy at the church, prefers the Latin Mass for its beauty and sense of sacred mystery, despite its more intricate rituals.
Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis expressed hope that local Catholics who attended SSPX chapels might find a home in approved services throughout the Archdiocese. He noted that the traditional Eucharistic liturgy beloved by SSPX adherents is still celebrated in six locations within the Archdiocese.
The traditional Latin Mass, also known as the “extraordinary form,” predates the Vatican II reforms of the 1960s. It differs from standard services in several ways: prayers are distinct and longer, the priest faces away from the congregation, and Communion is received kneeling on the tongue, rather than in the hand. Priests also wear specific vestments and headwear.
According to Stephen Cranney, a lecturer at Catholic University of America and co-author of an upcoming book on the Latin Mass, very few U.S. Catholics regularly attend this form of Mass. He estimates about 5-10% of Masses are celebrated on Sundays in the U.S., out of over 16,000 active parishes.
Cranney noted that most American Catholics who prefer the traditional Mass do so for its aesthetics, reverence, and continuity with history. A small percentage oppose Vatican II reforms or support defying the Pope. However, the preference for a solemn liturgy has often raised concerns about the potential for schism.
Previous pontificates have approached the issue differently. Pope Benedict XVI affirmed the validity of the Latin Rite and encouraged its offering if requested by parishioners. In contrast, Pope Francis implemented stricter controls, requiring bishops to approve celebrations of the traditional Mass and to ensure adherents accepted Vatican II reforms. Francis cited division as the reason for his crackdown, although leaked documents suggested most bishops were satisfied with the practice.
Recently, Pope Leo XIV allowed a U.S. cardinal to celebrate the old Latin Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, a move seen by traditionalists as encouraging. Since his election, Leo has emphasized unity and pleaded with the SSPX not to proceed with their consecrations, an appeal that went unheeded, leading to the Vatican's declaration of schism.
Parishioners at Saint Agnes expressed sadness over the schism and prayed for church unity. Nell O’Leary Alt, who attends both Latin and English services with her five children, finds joy in the traditional worship, stating, “It’s the same the saints knew all through the ages.” Tom Graff, a choir member, emphasizes that the solemnity of the rites is important, but so is the understanding that the sacrifice of the Mass is central, regardless of the liturgical form.
Father Ubel believes offering multiple Mass options fosters inclusion. “It’s not a competition to see who’s more Catholic,” he stated.