Bishop Mark O’Toole of Plymouth has established a permanent base for the traditional Latin Mass in Devon.A Sunday morning Mass in the Extraordinary Form is now being celebrated at St Edward the Confessor, Peverell, Plymouth.
The weekly Mass will be a sung Mass, or Missa cantata.
It is the first time a sung Mass in the old form has been celebrated at the church in 46 years, according to the Latin Mass Society.
Joseph Shaw, chairman of the Latin Mass Society, said: “We are very grateful to Bishop O’Toole for making this new provision for the traditional Mass possible, in a previously neglected corner of England.”
The first Extraordinary Form Mass at the parish drew 50 people from all over Devon.
Parishioner Lydia Keogh said afterwards on Facebook: “I will be attending this Mass from now on – very blessed.” Others described it as an important moment for Catholics in the West Country.
The Mass was celebrated by Fr Anthony Pillari from Lanherne monastery in Cornwall.
The old form of the Mass is celebrated every day at the monastery, which is home to 11 contemplative sisters.