Argentine Archbishop Emeritus Héctor Aguer has warmly praised the resurgence of the Traditional Latin Mass among young Catholics, pointing to the record attendance at the annual Paris-Chartres pilgrimage as evidence of a genuine recovery of Catholic Tradition in the face of decades of liberalism and secularisation. In an article for Rorate Caeli, the retired prelate contrasted the vitality of the ancient rite with what he described as ambiguities introduced in the post-conciliar liturgical reform.

Archbishop Aguer, who served as archbishop of La Plata from 2000 until his retirement in 2018, is a longstanding advocate of doctrinal clarity and liturgical fidelity. Ordained in 1972, the 83-year-old prelate has frequently spoken on the importance of the Church’s liturgical heritage.

In his article, he drew attention to the Chartres pilgrimage, organised by the lay association Notre-Dame de Chrétienté, which this year attracted nearly 20,000 participants from 22 countries with an average age of 22.

“The youthful crowds that revived the traditional Paris – Chartres pilgrimage have drawn widespread attention, with an average age of 22,” he wrote. “It is a recovery of Catholic tradition, which had been suffocated in those countries by liberalism, progressivism and atheism.”

The archbishop emphasised the deep historical roots and God-centred orientation of the Traditional Latin Mass, which he said traces its essential form to the 7th and 8th centuries and was definitively codified at the Council of Trent. “The [Traditional Latin] Mass defined Catholicism from the Council of Trent to Vatican II,” he noted. He argued that while modest adaptations had occurred over centuries, the post-Vatican II reform introduced a new rite under Pope Paul VI.

Archbishop Aguer singled out Archbishop Annibale Bugnini, secretary of the Consilium for the implementation of the liturgical reform, stating: “The author of the new Mass was Archbishop Annibale Bugnini, recognised as a Freemason according to undeniable documents, though secret in accordance with the nature of Freemasonry.”

He described changes such as the priest facing the people, the multiplication of biblical readings and the introduction of multiple Eucharistic Prayers as shifting the focus of the liturgy.

“In [the New Mass], the priest stands facing the people; biblical readings are multiplied and over time several Eucharistic Prayers were authorised, which recreate the single Canon of the ‘Traditional Mass’,” he continued. “It would seem that in the Mass of Paul VI and Bugnini, the priest offering the rite must strive to direct himself to God and ensure that the faithful do not become confused.”

The retired archbishop contrasted such developments with the clear theocentric character of the Traditional Mass: “This Mass is directed to the Glory of the Triune God, to whom it offers the Sacrifice of Jesus.” He expressed joy at the rediscovery of the ancient liturgy by the young, citing other pilgrimages including Rawson – Luján in Argentina, Oviedo – Covadonga in Spain and Rome – Subiaco in Italy.

“Pilgrimages like Paris – Chartres, and those of Rawson – Luján [Argentina], Oviedo – Covadonga [Spain], Rome – Subiaco [Italy], and others that are emerging here and there, speak to us of something undeniable: orthodoxy and Tradition are in good health and are a guarantee for the future,” he concluded.

Archbishop Aguer also criticised liturgical abuses, referencing incidents such as a bishop entering Mass on a skateboard or priests celebrating in clown costumes. “Such outrages can only trigger a stampede effect,” he wrote, recalling the principle that “no one, even if he be a priest, may add, remove, or change anything” of what is laid down in the liturgical books.

The Chartres pilgrimage, which culminates with a Pontifical High Mass in the historic cathedral, has seen sustained growth in recent years, drawing participants who walk more than 100 kilometres while praying the rosary and chanting in Latin. Its success stands in contrast to broader trends of declining practice in parts of Western Europe and has been noted by traditional commentators as a powerful witness to the appeal of the usus antiquior among the rising generation.

His remarks reflect a perspective shared by many clergy and laity who see the Traditional Latin Mass not as a relic of the past but as a living source of renewal for the Church’s future.

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