Who Are We?
Una Voce (from the Preface of the Most Holy Trinity (with one voice) is an international federation of associations, founded in 1966 in Rome, that now includes national associations in 17 nations on every continent. It is dedicated to ensuring that the Roman Mass codified by St. Pius V is maintained as one of the forms of Eucharistic worship that are honored in universal liturgical life, and to restoring the use of Latin, Gregorian Chant, and sacred polyphony in Catholic liturgy.
Una Voce America was established in 1996. Its goal is to create a coordinated national network of traditional groups in order to solidify and strengthen the Traditionalist movement and provide greater support for those working with their bishops to obtain the Traditional Latin Mass. The President of Una Voce America is Dr. John Rao, Professor of History at St. John's University (NY) and Director of the Deitrich Von Hilderbrand Institute. There are more than 60 chapters in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Each chapter is autonomous and makes use of its knowledge of local conditions to promote the Traditional Mass.
Una Voce of Northeast Florida, Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapter is the local chapter of lay Roman Catholics living in the diocese of St. Augustine. This organization is faithful to the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II and the Magisterium, to Bishop Victor Galeone, the bishop of St. Augustine, to the Code of Canon Law, and to the teaching of the Holy, Roman Catholic Church. As such, it has been established to advance the following purposes:
To promote the celebration of Indult form Masses in the diocese according to Pope John Paul II's Apostolic Letter, Ecclesia Dei. To likewise promote the celebrations of all sacramements under the liturgical books in use in 1962 for all who want them.
To encourage and promote greater lay understanding of ecclesiastical Latin, the language of the Roman Catholic Church.
To encourage and help provide appropriate educational programs and activities for members and other interested people. Topics include, but are not limited to, the Tridentine form of the Mass, Sacraments according to the 1962 liturgical books, Latin as the language of the Church, Gregorian Chant, traditional Catholic hymns and devotions, Church history, and the truth of Catholic Doctrine.
To interact, as far as possible, with the hierarchy and clergy of the diocese of St. Augustine regarding Una Voce goals.
What the Holy Father John Paul II has said about the Roman Mass:
"Respect must everywhere be shown for the feelings of those Catholics attached to the Latin liturgical tradition by a wide and generous applications of the directives issued by the Apostolic See for the use of the Roman Missal of 1962"
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI:
"I am of the opinion that the old rite should be granted much more generously to all those who desire it. It is impossible to see what could be dangerous or unacceptable about that. A community is calling its very being into question when it declares that what was its holiest and highest possession is strictly forbidden and when it makes the longing for it seem downright indecent."
