Usus Antiquior

A quarterly journal dedicated to the Sacred Liturgy edited by Laurence Paul Hemming & Alcuin Reid under the auspices of the Society of St. Catherine of Siena

"What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too, and it cannot be all of a sudden entirely forbidden or even considered harmful. It behoves all of us to preserve the riches which have developed in the Church’s faith and prayer, and to give them their proper place.” - Pope Benedict XVI

These sentiments – with which Pope Benedict XVI introduced his vital motu proprio Summorum Pontificum – encapsulate the function and scope of Usus Antiquior.

Usus Antiquior is committed to the study and promotion of the historical, philosophical, theological and pastoral aspects of the Roman rite as developed in tradition. Because the different forms of the Roman rite “can be mutually enriching,” Usus Antiquior also seeks to make a positive contribution to the discussion of questions pertinent to the liturgical life of the Church in our day.

"To the Reverend Dr. Alcuin Reid
I am pleased to learn of the launching of the journal Usus Antiquior which is intended for the promotion of the study of the classical Roman rite from historical, philosophical, theological and pastoral perspectives. I believe that the publication of such a journal is especially providential in the light of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum and the accompanying Letter of Pope Benedict XVI to Bishops which was published on 7 July 2007. I sincerely hope your journal will make a genuine contribution to liturgical studies in general since, as our Holy Father has indicated, the two forms of the Roman rite “can be mutually enriching”.
My compliments and best wishes to you, to Reverend Dr. Laurence Paul Hemming, the Society of Saint Catherine of Siena and all your collaborators. May scholarship, charity, balance and a truly Catholic spirit be the hallmark of Usus Antiquior!" - Darío Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos, President Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei”

"We welcome the foundation of the scholarly journal Usus Antiquior as an important initiative. Yet another fruit of the reinvigoration of the ancient liturgical rites in the Western Church begun by Pope Benedict XVI, it will help consolidate their place in the life of the Church of today and for the future. Not only priests, seminarians and academics, but anyone who wants to understand the Mass and the other rites of the Roman Church will seek this journal out and study it.” - The Latin Mass Society

"I think Usus Antiquior will be an important practical way of promoting knowledge about, and the ongoing implementation of, Pope Benedict XVI's historic motu proprio Summorum Pontificum and its implications for the liturgy of the Roman rite." - Leo Darroch, Executive President FIUV

We are most grateful for any gifts received in support of this work. Holy Mass is offered monthly for our benefactors.