Pastor Out in the Cold

by Yves Normandin

150 pages, Unknown Binding

Published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Paul Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dramatic story of events in Quebec in 1975 is instructive for today's situation when the hierarchy pretends to have the right to forbid the Traditional Mass. There is no such right because of the perennial rights granted to that Mass by Pope St. Pius V and also because that Mass has never been abrogated, as testified by Pope Benedict XVI in Summorum Pontificum of 2007. As such, it is not wrong for priests to continue celebrating that Mass, even when it has been forbidden them. Such prohibitions cannot be lawful because every Catholic has a right to his Catholic identity which is fully expressed in the traditional Mass.

The chapter in this book that recounts the meeting of Fr. Normandin and his associates with Abp. Gregoire is precious for manifesting the emptiness of prohibitions of the traditional Mass. How many souls did Fr. Normandin save throughout Canada over the decades because of his fidelity to the Mass of his ordination!

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

The true story of the trials of Fr. Yves Normandin in dealing with the modern post-Second Vatican Council church. The injustice and illegal removal of Fr. Normandin makes one wonder the agendas in the present church.

If the Roman Catholic Church has always taught that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (codified by Pope St. Pius V) is the means to opening the doors to salvation, it can only be that the Novus Ordo Mass (modern development) does exactly the opposite. If the Catholic Church was wrong before, it will always be wrong. For Apostolic Tradition cannot suddenly "awaken" after a substantial length of error.

Fr. Normandin will some day be recognized for who he is: a champion for the Traditional Catholic Faith in Canada.

[Christian Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting story about Fr Normandin. Effectively remaining true to 'Quo Primum' and the directive that the TLM could be celebrated in perpetuity, he seeks to retain the Latin Mass in his small parish in Canada after a pilgrimage to Europe showed him how the New Mass had become so disparate and separated between languages and cultures, as opposed to the unifying ties of the Latin Mass.

The writing style wasn't the best, and was indeed introduced as a crime/murder mystery style, but that never materialised (although it is translated from the original French).

The story essentially looks at obedience and truth, which one holds, with even Fr Normadin's bishop agreeing with him on many points, but saying that obedience to the orders from above trumps everything else.

The story seems a bit ridiculous in how it plays out at times, although these are true events (often people say that 'if you wrote it in a book no-one would believe you').

I certainly recommend it as a historical book of how different parishes/people reacted to the changes in the 70s and to whether obedience is always right.

[Anita · Rating 1 out of 5]

Complete propaganda.

It is a much nobler task to decide to work with and improve the system from within. However, Fr. Normandin has taken the easy way out: to separate and fight against the Church. This is neither noble nor Catholic, so you clearly cannot trust what he says. Jesus Himself says in Matthew 12:25 - "a house divided against itself cannot stand".

[John Ray Catingub · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but good read about the events that led up to Fr. Normandin's apostolate to offer the Traditional Latin Mass traveling across Canada. I wish he would have written more about his travels after he was ousted from Sainte-Yvette. Rest in peace Fr. Normandin!