Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker talks abortion, fatherhood and a trans activist's funeral

By Ryan Foley, Christian Post Reporter Saturday, March 23, 2024

Praises the traditional Latin mass.

Butker highlighted how "the traditional Latin mass has really transformed my life, understanding the liturgy … that the Church has celebrated for so many centuries." He said it helps him understand "the traditional sacraments," saying it's been "amazing for me."

"I just decided if I really do believe that Jesus is No. 1 in my life, that the church is No. 1 in my life, then I need to make the mass the priority of my life," he said. 

When asked how he has been able to attend traditional Latin masses despite his busy schedule, Butker replied, "I've had a great relationship with the Fraternity of St. Peter, and they've been able to provide priests for all the away games Saturday night before the games in the hotels to celebrate this beautiful liturgy."

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Expressing gratitude to the Fraternity of St. Peter for providing him "access to the mass," Butker recounted how "last year, we went to our first ever ordination in the Traditional Rite."

He mentioned that his young son had the opportunity of "witnessing these young men become priests, and then the next day after ordinations, we went to one of the young priests' first mass." 

Butker's comments about the traditional Latin mass come as restrictions on celebrating the ancient liturgy imposed by Pope Francis in 2021 have caused division within the Catholic Church.

The restrictions limit the number of places where the traditional Latin mass can take place and ask bishops to designate locations outside of parochial churches as locations where such celebrations can occur. Shortly after the Vatican announced the restrictions, more than 18,000 signed a petition opposing them. 

The Catholic mass was universally celebrated in Latin before the Second Vatican Council when churches began to conduct masses in the local vernacular. Supporters of the traditional Latin mass view the celebration as more authentic and reverend than the Novus Ordo mass conducted in the local vernacular.