(LifeSiteNews) — Archduke Eduard von Habsburg-Lothringen, Hungary’s former ambassador to the Holy See, described the traditional Latin Mass (TLM) as the “absolute antithesis to today’s world.”
Habsburg recently published a small book for those unfamiliar with or hesitant to attend the traditional Mass, called Discovering the Latin Mass: A Travel Guide for the Curious. In a recent interview with the National Catholic Register, the Archduke explained what compelled him to write the booklet.
Habsburg saw a need for accessible TLM education because while he and his family have been deeply enriched by the traditional Mass, he was frustrated by his first encounters with it.
“I wrote this little book because I did not have a small, handy explanatory brochure when I stumbled into my first traditional Latin Mass and was completely confused — indeed, even irritated,” Habsburg shared. “Nobody had prepared me for the differences in almost every aspect of the liturgy, so I was unable at first to appreciate it.”
The book is designed to help TLM newcomers not “immediately put up walls.”
“It is really for those who would like to try it … or who are simply curious,” as well as those who are “highly irritated by the Latin Mass,” Habsburg said.
The booklet includes graphics highlighting visual cues to help guide Latin Mass newcomers as well as explanations of different parts of the Mass.
Habsburg says the traditional Mass had a profound impact on his family, transforming their spiritual lives.
“The strongest impression the Latin Mass has made on me is what it has done for my children,” he said. When the Archduke discovered the Latin Mass about six years ago, “The entire family … began a completely new journey of deepening our faith.”
“The life of the liturgy spilled over into our daily life,” said Habsburg, sharing that he and his family have since grown in faithfulness to daily prayer, including the recitation of the rosary and novenas.
“I have found something that truly gave our entire family a fresh start in the faith,” he added.
Asked why he believes the traditional Mass is becoming more popular, especially among the youth, Habsburg highlighted several reasons, including the depth and substance of its spirituality, and its refreshing contrast to modernity.
The Latin Mass is “the absolute antithesis of today’s world,” he said. “It is very reverent and very quiet—very quiet. The silence is what most attracted me.”
“The ‘alienness’ of the Latin language, the reverence of the gestures… tells you that what is happening is very serious and very sacred,” he pointed out.
Habsburg believes there are two main reasons for strong opposition to the Latin Mass.
The first, he says, is the formation of priests of the Vatican II era. Clergy have often been told the traditional Mass is “dusty and obsolete,” an antiquated relic of the past.
Habsburg believes the second reason is rhetoric, particularly online, that gives the impression that traditionalists are “harsh, judgmental and unwelcoming,” and which presents tradition in “aggressive” ways.
“This creates an image… which I find very unfortunate,” he said, adding that charity and respect in dialogue is a must.
Asked whether he believes TLM-goers are a “remnant” preserving the faith, Habsburg said he sees this as only part of the picture.
“It is true that the Latin Mass is attended by relatively small numbers … but compared with the number of practicing Catholics, those numbers look larger than one might think,” he pointed out.
Hapsburg believes that Benedict XVI’s reference to a future “small” Church, a remnant of Catholics, applies both to those who attend the traditional Latin Mass and “to those who attend … reverent celebrations of today’s Mass.”
“If we look at the numbers … we can see that something is happening … I am full of hope for the Church.”
Discovering the Latin Mass: A Travel Guide for the Curious can be purchased at Sophia Institute Press.