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The Latin Mass Is Not Going Away... and Here’s Why (Dr. Peter Kwasniewski) | Ep. 543

Oct 1, 2025

Guest

Peter Kwasniewski

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski, an expert in liturgy and sacred music, shares his transformative journey with the Traditional Latin Mass, revealing how it reshaped his understanding of worship. He discusses the profound beauty of Gregorian Chant and critiques the changes following Vatican II, highlighting how they influenced the liturgy. Kwasniewski also explores the allure of tradition for younger generations, the importance of ritual gestures, and the impact of the one-year lectionary on Catholic life, urging for a more organic development of liturgical practices.

03:48:04

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ANECDOTE

From Progressive Parish To Thomist Scholar

Peter recounted his path from progressive parish youth to Thomas Aquinas College, Georgetown, and then a Thomistic formation at CUA and ITI in Austria.
His journey included charismatic renewal, discovery of philosophy, and eventual focus on Thomism and liturgy.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

First Encounter Changed Everything

Peter Kwasniewski first encountered the Latin Mass at Thomas Aquinas College and felt mystified and transformed by its otherworldly solemnity.
That early low-mass experience shifted his sense of the Mass from a communal event to an act directed primarily to God.

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ANECDOTE

Gregorian Chant Was A Revelation

At Thomas Aquinas College, Peter discovered Gregorian chant in the student schola and fell in love with its transcendent beauty.
Chant opened his eyes to a musical tradition that had been largely abandoned in parishes after the 1960s.

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Peter Kwasniewski’s Background and Formation

03:31 • 21min

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First Encounters with the Traditional Latin Mass

24:06 • 13min

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Discovery of Gregorian Chant and Sacred Music

36:58 • 5min

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Different Forms of the Old Rite: Low to Pontifical Masses

41:53 • 5min

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What Happened After Vatican II?

47:23 • 5min

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Liturgical Movement, Protestant Parallels, and Ratzinger’s Critique

52:48 • 7min

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Communion in the Hand: History and Consequences

59:54 • 7min

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Why Restoring Older Practices Isn’t Always Right

01:07:16 • 7min

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Body Posture, Ritual Gestures, and the Theology of Receptivity

01:14:42 • 6min

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Vanishing Practices: Ember Days, Rogations, and Fasting

01:20:49 • 6min

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The One-Year Lectionary and Patristic Roots

Novus Ordo’s Variability and Intrinsic Problems

01:43:23 • 7min

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Authority, Papal Decisions, and Historical Precedents

01:50:37 • 9min

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Is Critique of the Reform Disloyal to the Pope?

01:59:30 • 8min

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Practical Guidance for Priests Navigating Liturgical Tensions

02:07:10 • 11min

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The Ecclesial Autoimmune Condition and Resistance to Tradition

02:17:52 • 11min

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Pastoral Consequences: Spiritual Health and Parish Life

02:29:03 • 12min

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What Would a Sensible Policy on the TLM Look Like?

02:40:37 • 12min

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Why Tradition Attracts Young People Today

02:52:52 • 20min

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How the Old Lectionary Forms the Faithful

03:12:52 • 14min

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Advice for Newcomers and Mixed-Faith Couples

03:27:00 • 14min

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Organic Development vs. Top-Down Reform

03:41:14 • 3min

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The Once and Future Roman Rite — Book Overview

Theology of the Liturgy

Joseph Ratzinger

Parochial and plain sermons

St. John Henry Newman

Close the Workshop

Peter Kwasniewski

The Cristero Counter-Revolution and the Battle for the Soul of Mexico

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Father Javier Oliveira Ravassi

The Once and Future Roman Rite

Returning to the Traditional Latin Liturgy After 70 Years of Exile

Peter Kwasniewski

Liturgical Institutions

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Dom Prosper Guéranger

#58248

Treasuring the Goods of Marriage in a Throwaway Society

Peter Kwasniewski

Mediator Dei

Pius XII

Mediator Dei, issued by Pope Pius XII in 1947, is an encyclical that addresses the sacred liturgy of the Catholic Church. It emphasizes the importance of liturgical traditions and the active participation of the laity in the Mass. The encyclical clarifies the roles of the priest and the congregation, promoting a deeper understanding of the Mass as a communal and sacred act. It also discusses the proper use of liturgical music, art, and symbols to enhance the worship experience. Mediator Dei seeks to foster a greater appreciation for the liturgy as a source of spiritual nourishment and a means of drawing closer to God. The document remains influential in shaping liturgical practices and understanding within the Catholic Church.

The liturgical year

Sister Joan Chittister

#1176

• Mentioned in 22 episodes

The Message

Ta Nehisi Coates

In 'The Message', Ta-Nehisi Coates delves into the intersections of race, power, and identity through three intertwining essays. The book is part memoir, part travelogue, and part writing primer. Coates reflects on his visits to Dakar, Senegal, where he grapples with his Afrocentric roots; Columbia, South Carolina, where he examines the backlash against historical reckoning and book banning; and Palestine, where he critiques nationalist narratives and their impact on reality. The book emphasizes the urgent need to untangle destructive myths and embrace difficult truths to create a more just future.

Turned Around

Replying to Common Objections Against the Traditional Latin Mass

Peter Kwasniewski

#3284

• Mentioned in 10 episodes

The idea of a university

St. John Henry Newman

John Henry Newman's "The Idea of a University" is a seminal work on higher education, exploring the nature of knowledge, the role of universities in society, and the importance of a liberal education. Newman emphasizes the pursuit of truth for its own sake, arguing that universities should foster intellectual curiosity and critical thinking. He highlights the unity of knowledge, emphasizing the interconnectedness of various disciplines. The book remains highly influential in shaping discussions about the purpose and function of universities. It's a classic text for anyone interested in the philosophy of education.

#9440

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Apologia pro vita sua

St. John Henry Newman

Apologia Pro Vita Sua is John Henry Newman's personal account of his religious beliefs and how they evolved over time. Originally published in 1864 as a response to criticisms by Charles Kingsley, the book chronicles Newman's transition from Anglicanism to Catholicism. It is divided into five parts, each covering a different period in his life, providing a deep insight into his spiritual development and intellectual struggles.

#422

• Mentioned in 47 episodes

City of God

Augustine of Hippo

Written between 413-426 CE, 'The City of God' is a response to pagan claims that the sack of Rome by barbarians was a consequence of the abolition of pagan worship by Christian emperors. Augustine argues that Christianity saved the city from complete destruction and that Rome’s fall was due to internal moral decay. The book divides humanity into two metaphorical cities: the City of God, characterized by devotion to God, and the City of Man, characterized by self-love. It also outlines Augustine’s theological interpretation of human history, from the Creation to the Second Coming of Christ, and critiques paganism and pagan philosophy while presenting the true history of the City of God.

In this interview, Matt talks with Dr. Peter Kwasniewski—author, lecturer, scholar and composer—about his (Dr. Kwasniewski's) first experience with the Traditional Latin Mass, and how it deeply impacted him and changed his understanding of what the Mass is all about. The conversation also touches on the beauty (and importance of) sacred music, the impacts of Vatican II upon the Church, and much, much more.

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