OR MANY years, the monthly Magnificat magazine has served as a popular “hand-missal” for Mass-goers in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite. At once high-quality and disposable, this publication has a wide readership and has been instrumental in the spiritual growth of many people. Their work is a blessing to the Church (and has been highlighted on Views from the Choir Loft here and here).
Beginning in August 2021, something similar will be available for the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. Entitled Benedictus, this will be an undertaking of Sophia Institute Press, produced in consultation with various English-speaking priests and theologians.
Readers may recall that there was a previous attempt at this type of monthly publication for the Extraordinary Form, entitled Laudamus Te, which seems to have failed due to an insufficient number of subscribers. Hopefully Sophia Institute Press will be able to make a more successful go of it.
The new Benedictus booklet promises to include much more than the daily Mass texts. It will also feature:
Morning and Evening Devotions (excerpts from Lauds & Vespers of the 1960 Breviarium Romanum)
Daily Meditations (writings from saints, scholars, and spiritual masters)
Commentary (short essays on feasts & saints)
Classic Prayers (devotional prayers in Latin & English)
Artwork (a high-quality print and separable holy card in each issue)
Catholic Culture (poetry, prose, music)
A sample issue of Benedictus is available for viewing here.
Surely there will be naysayers who question the value of such a publication when a plethora of single-volume, traditional hand-missals already exists. There is much to be said in favor of quality hand-missals that can be used year after year, but there is also something to be said for this sort of monthly magazine. Benedictus has the potential to serve as an accessible introduction for newcomers to the Extraordinary Form, a source for timely resources designed to support the domestic Church, and even a tool for evangelization.
The cost for Benedictus is just $5/month. Subscriptions are available here.
