Gregorius Magnus - Summer 2023 - Edition no. 15

Book Recommendation: Near Missed Masses: Ten Short Stories Based on Actual Events, by Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP (Arouca Press, 2021), 204 pages from the Una Voce Scotland Newsletter, July 2021

Hot off the press, Near Missed Masses sees Fr de Malleray turn his gift for communicating the truths of the faith to storytelling. In the style of what a far less edifying author once called ‘Faction’, the book presents ten fictional stories based on very real facts. In a thoroughly Catholic fashion that is reminiscent of the novels of Michael D. O’Brien, Fr de Malleray explores the challenges and joys experienced by priests as they overcome obstacles in their ministries. The humorous narratives have at their core the most serious of themes: the dignity of the sacred priesthood, the nature of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the necessity and transforming power of the sacramental life and an insight into the difficulties faced by faithful priests.

Naturally, my interest was immediately piqued by the story set in Scotland: ‘Swine Flu by Loch Lomond’. Featuring a UVS cameo appearance under the pseudonym ‘Sursum Corda’, the tale is presented by a priest, stationed in the highlands, who rediscovered the traditional Latin Mass when gifted an Altar Missal with a very significant connection to his Siamese roots. As the tale unfolds we see the opposition that Father faces when he opposes modernist trends and parishioners of varying degrees of goodwill. Learning the Extraordinary Form on a broken chest of drawers in his attic, hidden from the eyes of the diocesan youth worker-cum parish busybody, the priest’s diary entries chronicle the introduction of the Latin Mass in his chaplaincy, the subsequent growth of the congregation and solemnity of the liturgy and the impact that it has on his priesthood. Collected in 2023 as part of the beatification process of the bishop of the diocese of ‘Kinlochlour’, we read of the restrictions placed on public worship because of the outbreak of Swine Flu in 2003. Twenty years later, it is hoped by the current bishop of the diocese that his predecessor would be declared the first martyr of COVID-19 after contracting the virus as a result of his pastoral zeal.

The tact with which the Old Rite was introduced, the growth of the congregation (and collection takings!), the family and youth demographic, the opposition faced and the touching vulnerability of a priest with a heart condition and his own insecurities make this ‘factional’ story a familiar allegory for the experience of many who work for the restoration of the tradition of the church. Fr de Malleray’s skilful writing, and no doubt a typological/ allegorical/sacramental world view, make for a witty and thought-provoking read. Highly acclaimed by Joseph Pearce, Fr Julian Large (Provost, London Oratory) and others – the perfect summer book.