Views from the Choir Loft

Saint Vitus Roman Catholic Church • Los Angeles, CA

Corpus Christi Watershed · June 30, 2018

HE ARCHBISHOP of Los Angeles, Most Rev. José H. Gomez, has established a personal parish dedicated exclusively to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, also known as the “Traditional Latin Mass” or the “Tridentine Rite.”

REV. JAMES FRYAR, of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, has been named Pastor, and FATHER REV. MASUTTI serves as Curate. Right across the street is a beautiful park where the parish families can play.

SAINT VITUS CATHOLIC CHURCH
Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
607 4th Street
San Fernando 91340

Sunday 7:30am (Low Mass)
Sunday 9:00am (High Mass)
Sunday 11:00am (High Mass)
Sunday 4:00pm (Vespers)
Sunday 5:00pm (with Spanish and English Sermon)
Daily Mass schedule forthcoming.

Mass Schedule was updated 31 January 2019.

A quote from a member of Saint Vitus Parish:

“How long did we wait? And now, at last, I can drive my wife and children to a regular Sunday Mass—week after week—and live the parish life with my friends who also feel the Latin Mass is our future. Thank you Archbishop and Fraternity!” (Mr. José Moreno)

Archbishop José H. Gomez officially opened the Parish on 25 June 2018:

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Mrs. Yvonne Asencio, a parishioner at Saint Vitus, made all the vestments by hand for this once-in-a-lifetime ceremony:

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The parish celebrated Pontifical Vespers with Most Rev’d Bishop Brennan on 26 June:

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Much construction took place before the 25 June ceremony:

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Although the church is not finished, you can see the tremendous progress made so far!

Here is a copy of the last bulletin ever printed at the church in West Hollywood where the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter formerly offered Mass:

* * PDF Download • Final Bulletin at the FSSP’s former home

Beginning 25 June 2018, the FSSP has officially moved to Saint Vitus.

Julia Garcia contributed to this article.

BELOW IS A WEB ARCHIVE (unofficial) for FSSP.la parish bulletins published by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter in Los Angeles.

N.B. Bookmark this precise link because it will never change.

* * PDF Download • 04 August 2019

* * PDF Download • 28 July 2019

* * PDF Download • 14 July 2019

* * PDF Download • 09 June 2019

* * PDF Download • 02 June 2019

* * PDF Download • 26 May 2019

* * PDF Download • 12 May 2019

* * PDF Download • 05 May 2019

* * PDF Download • 31 March 2019

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* * PDF Download • 27 January 2019

* * PDF Download • 20 January 2019

* * PDF Download • 13 January 2019

* * PDF Download • 06 January 2019

* * PDF Download • 23 December 2018

* * PDF Download • 16 December 2018

* * PDF Download • 18 November 2018

* * PDF Download • 11 November 2018

* * PDF Download • 28 October 2018

* * PDF Download • 14 October 2018

* * PDF Download • 02 September 2018

* * PDF Download • 26 August 2018

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* * PDF Download • 29 April 2018

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* * PDF Download • 25 February 2018

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* * PDF Download • 31 December 2017

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* * PDF Download • 29 October 2017

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* * PDF Download • 27 August 2017

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* * PDF Download • 30 July 2017

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* * PDF Download • 30 April 2017

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* * PDF Download • 26 March 2017

* * PDF Download • 19 March 2017

* * PDF Download • 12 March 2017

* * PDF Download • 5 March 2017

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* * PDF Download • 12 February 2017

* * PDF Download • 5 February 2017

* * PDF Download • 29 January 2017

* * PDF Download • 22 January 2017

* * PDF Download • 15 January 2017

* * PDF Download • 8 January 2017

* * PDF Download • 1 January 2017

* * PDF Download • 25 December 2016

* * PDF Download • 18 December 2016

* * PDF Download • 11 December 2016

* * PDF Download • 04 December 2016

* * PDF Download • 27 November 2016

* * PDF Download • 20 November 2016

* * PDF Download • 13 November 2016

* * PDF Download • 06 November 2016

* * PDF Download • 30 October 2016

* * PDF Download • 23 October 2016

* * PDF Download • 16 October 2016

* * PDF Download • 9 October 2016

* * PDF Download • 25 September 2016

* * PDF Download • 18 September 2016

* * PDF Download • 11 September 2016

* * PDF Download • 4 September 2016

* * PDF Download • 28 August 2016

* * PDF Download • 21 August 2016

* * PDF Download • 17 July 2016

* * PDF Download • 10 July 2016

* * PDF Download • 12 June 2016

* * PDF Download • 29 May 2016

* * PDF Download • 22 May 2016

* * PDF Download • 15 May 2016

* * PDF Download • 08 May 2016

* * PDF Download • 01 May 2016

* * PDF Download • 24 April 2016

* * PDF Download • 17 April 2016

* * PDF Download • 10 April 2016

* * PDF Download • 3 April 2016

* * PDF Download • 13 March 2016

* * PDF Download • 6 March 2016

* * PDF Download • 28 February 2016

* * PDF Download • 14 February 2016

* * PDF Download • 29 Nov 2015

Learn more about this brand new parish by visiting FSSP.la.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

“Offertory” at Catholic Funerals

I have argued that the OFFERTORY—at least in its ancient form—is more of a responsory than an antiphon. The 1962 Missal specifically calls it “Antiphona ad Offertorium.” From now on, I plan to use this beautiful setting (PDF) at funerals, since it cleverly inserts themes from the absolution of the body. Tons more research needs to be done on the OFFERTORY, which often is a ‘patchwork’ stitching together various beginnings and endings of biblical verses. For instance, if you examine the ancient verses for Dómine, vivífica me (30th Sunday in Ordinary Time) you’ll discover this being done in a most perplexing way. Rebecca Maloy published a very expensive book on the OFFERTORY, but it was a disappointment. Indeed, I can’t think of a single valuable insight contained in her book. What a missed opportunity!

—Jeff Ostrowski

“In Paradisum” • Gregorian Chant

As a RECESSIONAL on All Souls’ Day (November 2nd), we will sing In Paradísum Dedúcant Te Ángeli (PDF). When it comes to Gregorian Chant, this is one of the most popular “songs.” Frankly, all the prayers and chants from the traditional REQUIEM MASS (Missa exsequialis or Missa pro defunctis) are incredibly powerful and never should’ve been scuttled. Click here to hear “In Paradisum” in a recording I made this afternoon. Professor Louis Bouyer spoke of the way Bugnini “scuttled the office of the dead” in this fascinating excerpt from his memoirs. In his book, La riforma litugica (1983), Bugnini bragged—in quite a shameful way—about eliminating the ancient funeral texts, and even admitted those venerable texts were “beloved” (his word) by Catholics.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Music List” • All Souls (2 November)

Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 2 November 2025, which is the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (“All Souls”). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin. In my humble opinion, it’s weird to have the feast of All Saints on a Sunday. No wonder the close associate of Pope Saint Paul VI said the revised KALENDAR was “the handiwork of a trio of maniacs.” However, I can’t deny that sometimes the sacred liturgy consists of elements that are seemingly contradictory: e.g. the Mode 7 “De Profúndis” ALLELUIA, or the Mode 8 “Dulce lignum” ALLELUIA on the various ancient feasts of the Holy Cross (3 May, 14 September, and so on).

—Jeff Ostrowski

Gospel Options for 2 November (“All Souls”)

We’ve been told some bishops are suppressing the TLM because of “unity.” But is unity truly found in the MISSALE RECENS? For instance, on All Souls (2 November), any of these Gospel readings may be chosen, for any reason (or for no reason at all). The same is true of the Propria Missæ and other readings—there are countless options in the ORDINARY FORM. In other words, no matter which OF parish you attend on 2 November, you’ll almost certainly hear different propers and readings, to say nothing of different ‘styles’ of music. Where is the “unity” in all this? Indeed, the Second Vatican Council solemnly declared: “Even in the liturgy, the Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters which do not implicate the faith or the good of the whole community.”

—Corpus Christi Watershed

“Our Father” • Musical Setting?

Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?

—Jeff Ostrowski

New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”

My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.

—Jeff Ostrowski