Saint Agnes Parish Models Unity Amid Pope Leo XIV’s Schism Ruling

At Saint Agnes Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, Rev. John Ubel leads a weekly traditional Latin Rite Mass with archbishop permission. At the same time, Pope Leo XIV declared the Society of St. Pius X schismatic and excommunicated its bishops, intensifying a global Catholic split.

Latin Mass, but faithful to the pope: A Minnesota church shows a different way during schism crisisUsNews and World Report

The 1960s Vatican II reforms modernized the Mass, relegating the pre-Council Latin Rite to the “extraordinary form.” The SSPX formed to reject those reforms. Pope Benedict XVI affirmed the rite; Pope Francis later restricted it, citing division. Pope Leo XIV now balances limited permissions with firm sanctions.

Latin Mass, but faithful to the pope: A Minnesota church shows a different way during schism crisis

Rev. John Ubel (pastor, Saint Agnes); Archbishop Bernard Hebda (St. Paul-Minneapolis); Pope Leo XIV; Society of St. Pius X; Stephen Cranney (Catholic University lecturer); Peter Draganowski (altar boy); Tom Graff (choir member); Nell O’Leary Alt (parishioner).

Latin Mass, but faithful to the pope: A Minnesota church shows a different way during schism crisis

Cranney estimates about 510 Latin Masses on Sundays in the U.S., out of >16,000 parishes. The St. Paul-Minneapolis archdiocese lists six sites offering the extraordinary form; Saint Agnes holds one weekly, plus a modern Latin Mass and four English services.

Latin Mass, but faithful to the pope: A Minnesota church shows a different way during schism crisis

Pope Leo XIV declared the SSPX “formally broken with the Catholic Church” and excommunicated its bishops and priests. The Vatican warned that “those who adhere formally” are schismatic. Archbishop Hebda said the archdiocese is “blessed that the same traditional Eucharistic liturgy… continues in six locations” and that “those who prefer the Traditional Latin Mass could find a home here.” Rev. Ubel urged all attached to tradition “to maintain full ecclesial communion with our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV.”

Latin Mass, but faithful to the pope: A Minnesota church shows a different way during schism crisisUsNews and World Report

The Vatican called the Latin Mass a “source of division,” prompting Pope Francis’s 2021-23 restrictions. Critics warn the rite can fuel “ultraconservative” sentiment and risk a split; the SSPX’s unauthorized consecrations heightened those fears.

Latin Mass, but faithful to the pope: A Minnesota church shows a different way during schism crisis

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Georgetown Center do not track Latin-Mass attendance, leaving Cranney’s 510-Mass estimate unverified. Leaked Vatican documents after Pope Francis’s death suggested many bishops were “generally satisfied” with the rite, contradicting his claim it was divisive.

Latin Mass, but faithful to the pope: A Minnesota church shows a different way during schism crisisUsNews and World Report

• “Our Catholic faith is a living tradition, and there is a difference between being rooted and being stuck,” — Rev. John Ubel, Pastor, Saint Agnes

Latin Mass, but faithful to the pope: A Minnesota church shows a different way during schism crisis

• “It’s really not hard, it just has a lot more moving parts,” — Peter Draganowski, 15-year-old altar boy, Saint Agnes School

Latin Mass, but faithful to the pope: A Minnesota church shows a different way during schism crisis

• “How do you … try to be accommodating to the people who might prefer the traditional Latin Mass while not giving fuel to the fire of people that want to split off?” — Stephen Cranney, Lecturer, Catholic University of America

Latin Mass, but faithful to the pope: A Minnesota church shows a different way during schism crisis

• “I can appreciate both the ordinary and the extraordinary forms of Latin Mass, and Schubert’s Tantum Ergo as well as On Eagle’s Wings,” — Tom Graff, Choir member, Saint Agnes

Latin Mass, but faithful to the pope: A Minnesota church shows a different way during schism crisis

Saint Agnes will keep offering both rites while parishioners pray for Church unity.

Latin Mass, but faithful to the pope: A Minnesota church shows a different way during schism crisis