Embracing the Latin Mass

Born in 1959 in Indianapolis, Indiana, I was raised in the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches.  When my fiancé John, a fallen away Catholic, and I decided to get married in 1985, John felt that we should be truly married until death did us part. Therefore we got married in 1986 in Lafayette, Colorado with a Novus Ordo Mass at the Catholic Church.

John came back into the Catholic Church on our wedding day. 

A Marian Kidnapping and My First Traditional Mass

Two years later, someone told me the story of Our Lady of Fatima, and particularly about the “Miracle of the Sun” apparition.

I felt like Our Lady kidnapped me on that very day, and I joyfully became a Catholic in July of 1988. 

John had served as an altar boy in Quebec, Canada in the 1960’s and he loved and missed the Latin Mass dearly.  We were both delighted to learn in 1996 that the Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) was sending a Priest to Denver to offer the Latin Mass to the faithful on a continual basis.  

John and I were among the first 16 or so people to attend the original Mass of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Latin Mass Community, which is now the Diocesan Parish, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Littleton, CO.

WATCH: "Trad Seats": A Tribute to the Faithful Who Embrace the Traditional Roman Rite

We sat on barstools that day and the Mass was held in the basement of someone’s townhome.  Soon our community was able to find a place for our Masses at a school chapel and then at other Churches.  

When I first attended the Latin Mass, I was thoroughly confused, having only known the Novus Ordo Mass prayers. I was constantly lost when trying to follow between the Latin prayers of the Mass and their English translations.  

The Last Straw that Had Me Embracing the Latin Mass

John suggested that I join the parish choir, as I loved to sing.  

Learning to sing Gregorian Chant and traditionalhymns really helped me to connect with the Mass. I soon began to fall in love with all aspects of the Traditional Mass, especially the beautiful hymns and the chants of Holy Week and Christmas. I will always love and treasure the Latin Mass.  

The world is on fire, and I believe that the Immemorial Tridentine Mass will save the world and bring order out of chaos.

Jodi Lacroix is a Traditional Catholic widow who dedicates her time to serving the Church by promoting the Traditional Mass wherever she goes. 

Besides her favorite pasttimes  of drawing and painting, watching old movies and hiking, Jodi also is one of the organizers for the annual Restore Tradition Women's Conference.

And...perhaps you recognize her face from the popular Catholic documentary Mass of the Ages.

Her story and others' who have found Tradition are celebrated in our new music video "Trad Seats". Give it a watch now!