From the National Catholic Register:<\/p>\n
Pope Benedict XVI has relaxed the rules on the use of the Mass celebrated before the Second Vatican Council.<\/p>\n
In a document titled Summorum Pontificum, issued July 7, the Pope has instructed bishops to make the Tridentine Mass freely available in any parish that desires to have it.<\/p>\n
The Holy Father called the instruction the \u201cfruit of much reflection, numerous consultations and prayer.\u201d\u009d It comes into effect Sept. 14, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.<\/p>\n
At present, any priest or group of faithful wishing to celebrate the old Latin rite requires the permission of their bishop who can arbitrarily refuse the request.<\/p>\n
But from September, all the faithful will now have the right to use without further permission what Pope Benedict describes as this \u201cextraordinary form\u201d\u009d \u201d\u201d the Mass celebrated according to the 1962 Missal of Blessed Pope John XXIII.<\/p>\n
The \u201cordinary form\u201d\u009d of the Mass will continue to be the 1970 Novus Ordo Mass of Pope Paul VI.<\/p>\n