Mass of the Ages (film series)
| Mass of the Ages | |
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| Directed by | Cameron O'Hearn |
| Written by | Cameron O'Hearn |
| Cinematography | Thomas Shannon |
| Edited by |
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Production company | Horselord Films |
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| Country | United States |
The Mass of the Ages trilogy is the collective title of three American documentary films directed by Cameron O'Hearn: Mass of the Ages: Discover the Traditional Latin Mass (2021), Mass of the Ages: A Perfect Storm (2022), and Mass of the Ages: Guardians of Tradition (2024). The trilogy is directed and produced by Cameron O'Hearn, with Jonathan Weiss also serving as a producer.[1][2]
Synopsis
The film trilogy documents the history and controversy surrounding changes to the Roman Catholic liturgy after the Second Vatican Council, particularly the omission of aspects from the previously used Tridentine Mass, commonly referred to as the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM). The film series aims to introduce viewers to the differences between the older and newer forms of the liturgy, featuring laypeople and priests who have embraced the TLM, recounting their personal experiences with the Latin Mass. Many of the interviewees provide their personal experiences with the Mass, and report a generally improved and strengthened faith. Some interviewees such as clergy members and scholars, offer their theological and historical expertise as additional background leading towards their embrace of the Latin Mass.
People
Main figures in the film series are as follows:
Lay supporters/traditionalists
- Kristine Mauss, a recently widowed mother of four who notes community support in raising her children in the Catholic faith through the TLM after her husband dies due to a brain tumor
- Jodi Lacroix, Judy Fradl, Mary Popp, three women sharing their dedication to the TLM through repairing statures, and making vestments
- Ricky and Leah Soldinie, a couple who expresses their accidental introduction to the TLM and later joining the traditionalist TLM community
- Timothy Flanders, Editor-in-Chief of OnePeterFive
Clergy and scholars
- Bishop James Conley
- Bishop Joseph Strickland
- Father Canon Jean Baptiste Commins, ICKSP Rector at St. Joseph Shrine, Detroit
- Dr. Michael Sirilla, a professor of theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville
- Monsignor Eugene Morris, a St. Louis priest and seminary professor
- Father Joseph Illo, a university chaplain
- Peter Kwasniewski, a Catholic traditionalist author and speaker
- Taylor Marshall, a controversial Catholic traditionalist author and speaker
- Father James Jackson
- Dom Alcuin Reid, a monk of the Monastère Saint-Benoît in Fréjus-Toulon, France
- Father Dave Nix, a priest from the Archdiocese of Denver
Production
Development
The inspiration for Mass of the Ages according to O'Hearn, arose from a 2019 Pew research study, which revealed that 70% of American Catholics do not believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, a figure that included 60% of weekly Mass-going Catholics.[3][4][5] O'Hearn connected this statistic to the theological principle of Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi ("law of prayer, law of belief"), asserting that the way Catholics pray profoundly influences what they believe.[4][5] O'Hearn was motivated to "introduce the world to a liturgy" he believes "showcases the belief in the real presence better than any other liturgy."[4][5]
Pre-production
Initially, the project was envisioned as a single film.[5] It was funded through a Kickstarter campaign that significantly exceeded its original goal of "a little over $70,000," raising approximately $170,000.[5] This substantial overfunding, combined with an "abundance of footage," led to the decision to expand the single film into a three-part trilogy.[5]
Post-production
O'Hearn's initial vision was for a single film, but the "abundance of footage" gathered during filming led to the decision to develop it into a trilogy.[5] O'Hearn mentioned the "really long, painful process" of discerning and testing the narrative for each episode, particularly Episode 3, which was described as the "most coherent from script to screen."[5]
Reception
All films were initially premiered onto YouTube. Within a month of the first film's release onto YouTube, it accumulated 325,000 views within its first two months on YouTube.[1]
Critical reception
David Deavel of The Imaginative Conservative describes the first film as "very good," "delightful and informative," and effective in showcasing the liturgy when "done well".[1] Proponents highlight the film's use of personal stories, such as Kristine Mauss.[1][2] The films testimonies from Msgr. Eugene Morris and Father Joseph Illo, according to Deavel, emphasize a "powerful point" about the Latin Mass.[1]
Mike Lewis of Where Peter Is observes that the second film's portrayal of the Council's implementation is "fairly moderate" compared to other traditionalist accounts, and that the film portrays Pope Paul VI in a largely positive light. Lewis also notes that the personal portraits of everyday faith in Episode 2 provide "oases of humanity."[2]
John Anderson, a television critic for The Wall Street Journal, in a review for America magazine, strongly criticizes Mass of the Ages as "classic propaganda," asserting it relies on "scapegoating, fear-mongering, kitschy theatricality, the use of only enough history to make its case and a complete absence of counterargument."[6] Anderson claims the film implies the TLM would lead to drops in suicide, divorce, and loneliness, and argued that its refusal to engage alternative viewpoints borders on "fascistic."[6] In contrast, David Deavel, however, dismisses Anderson's specific criticisms as "silly" and an "absurd reading."[1] while acknowledging some shortcomings including an "occasional problem of what we might call externalism" in the film's language, which he suggests might reinforce stereotypes about Catholicism as a system of rules rather than a relationship with Christ. He also points to a "potential idealization" in the liturgical scenes.[1]
Mike Lewis of Where Peter Is also characterizes the film as a "propaganda film". His primary criticism being that the film provides platforms for "some of the most extreme and dissenting figures in traditionalism today," who "openly champion schismatic, conspiratorial, and often downright offensive views." Lewis identifies several interviewees (including Taylor Marshall, Peter Kwasniewski, Eric Sammons, Father Dave Nix, Joseph Shaw, and Timothy Flanders) and details their public statements on controversial topics such as accusations of heresy against Pope Francis, rejection of Vatican II, or promotion of conspiracy theories.[2] Lewis concludes that the film presents a "carefully calculated image of traditionalism" that avoids or denies the movement's more problematic elements, suggesting it is not entirely "real."[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Deavel, David (2021-09-04). "Lights, Camera, Liturgical Action: Cameron O'Hearn's "Mass of the Ages"". The Imaginative Conservative. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ a b c d e Lewis, Mike (2022-06-16). "Mass of the Ages: Gilded Radicalism". Where Peter Is. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ Smith, Gregory A. (2019-08-05). "Just one-third of U.S. Catholics agree with their church that Eucharist is body, blood of Christ". Pew Research Center. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ a b c "New 'Mass of the Ages' Film Offers Closer Look at the Traditional Latin Mass". NCR. 2021-09-04. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Mag, Crisis (2024-06-21). "The Future of the TLM (Guest: Cameron O'Hearn)". Crisis Magazine. Retrieved 2025-07-03.
- ^ a b "Review: 'Mass of the Ages' uses classic propaganda tactics to make the case for the Latin Mass". America Magazine. 2021-08-13. Retrieved 2025-07-03.