Traditional Latin Mass Community of Saint Mary Magdalen

Assumption Mass

2026-08-07T09:20:38.896-07:00

There will be a low Traditional Latin Mass at Mary Magdalaen Chapel for the Feast of the Assumption, Saturday August 15, at 10 AM.

Palm Sunday and Easter Masses

2026-03-25T23:54:00.000-07:00

Palm Sunday mass will begin early, at 9:30, to make time for congregational distribution of the palms and a small procession.

Easter Sunday mass will be at 1 PM instead of the usual 10 AM Sunday time.

All other Triduum services in the extraordinary form will be at St Vitus Church.

Carpool to Fr. Carcerano Funeral

2026-03-10T08:07:00.000-07:00

Dear friends: I will be driving our 15 passenger van to Fr. Carcerano’s funeral which starts at 12:00 pm Saturday, March 14, at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, as well as staying for the burial. I have 14 available seats if anyone would like to carpool with me. My map software estimates one hour to one hour and thirty minutes for the drive, so I suggest we leave at 10:15 from St. Mary Magdalen Chapel. I plan to park in front of the Chapel at about 10:00, with a departure at about 10:15. Feel free to e-mail or text me if you wish to go and I will reserve seats for you; first come, first serve. My e-mail address is jalvarez@alvarezfirm.com and my cell phone number is 818-665-5227.

In Christ, Justin Alvarez

Fr. Michael Carcerano (6/2/1950 - 2/14/2026)

2026-02-21T15:08:00.000-08:00

Photos of Fr. Carcerano

Obituary from Angelus

Summary at the Mission & Chapel

The Traditional Latin Mass Community enjoyed the historical Mission San Buenaventura for 15 years during which Fr. Carcerano was assigned as Pastor from 2008 to 2011. From the very beginning he took interest in the TLM. Altar Servers assisted with his learning of the rubrics. Fr. Michael practiced in private for quite some time as he wanted to be as "perfect" as he could be before saying his first public Latin Low Mass. That day arrived November 17, 2008. After Mass, out on the plaza, he turned to me and said "I have been a Priest for 30 years, and today I have found the Mass of my vocation!"

The new home for the Traditional Latin Mass Community was established at Saint Mary Magdalen Chapel, on Palm Sunday 2013 where Fr. Michael participated. Una Voce Ventura County offered to send him to the FSSP Seminary in Denton, Nebraska for Sung High Mass training, for which he eagerly agreed. Upon return, he sang his first Missa Cantata on June 16, 2013.

Over the years at both the Mission and the Chapel, the TLM Community was served by many other Priests including Chaplains from Thomas Aquinas College and ultimately when the FSSP was welcomed into the LA Archdiocese, the FSSP took over responsibility for the TLM Community at St. Mary Magdalen. In his later years, Fr. Michael became a Diocesan Hermit with the permission of the Archbishop, with the request that he minister to the homebound elderly who wanted the Traditional Rites anywhere in the Archdiocese!

Fr. Michael Carcerano was a living example of all the Virtues! May God grant Eternal Blessing to His good and faithful servant!

Leo Raab, Former Una Voce Ventura President

Rev. Michael J. Carcerano - Visitation & Funeral Services

2026-02-19T16:07:00.000-08:00

Fr. James Fryar, FSSP will be the celebrant for a Traditional Latin Requiem Mass.

https://www.holycrossmortuary.org/obituary/rev-michael-carcerano

Saturday Mass and Lent Talks

2026-02-17T16:14:00.000-08:00

This Saturday, February 21, Father James Fryar, FSSP, Pastor of St Vitus Parish, will be celebrating mass and giving Lent talks at Mary Magdalen Chapel, for our Latin Mass Community. Mass will begin at 1 PM, with talks ending at 5 PM.

Announcing the death of Father Mike Carcerano

2026-02-16T15:29:00.000-08:00

Father Michael Carcerano, who formerly celebrated our community's Latin Mass, passed away on Saturday, February 14. This was announced at mass on Sunday. Information about his Requiem mass will be shared when it is available.

Father Mike Carcerano was a priest of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. While serving as pastor of Mission San Buenaventura, where our Latin Mass used to be celebrated, he was inspired to learn the traditional form of the Roman Right. When our Traditional Latin Mass was moved to Mary Magdalen Chapel in Camarillo in 2014, he was our most common celebrant until about 2017 when Father James Fryar and other Fraternity of St Peter priests took over. He continued celebrating other Traditional Latin Masses in the Los Angeles area, leading rosary groups, and distributing communion to those bound at home.

On a personal note, I (Skylar Covich) began attending the Traditional Latin Mass right after the move to Mary Magdalen Chapel, so I learned much from him and he performed our marriage.

We pray for his soul, and are grateful for his ministry and friendship to many of us.

Puer Natus Est Nobis (A Child is Born to Us)!

2025-12-23T13:13:00.000-08:00

Puer Natus Est Nobis

Detail from one of the stained glass windows of Saint Mary Magdalen Chapel made by F.X. Zettler in Munich Germany. See all here

Introit (Isaiah 9: 6)
Puer natus est nobis, et filius datus est nobis: cujus imperium super humerum ejus: et vocabitur nomen ejus magni consilii Angelus. Vs. (Ps. 97: 1) Cantate Domino canticum novum, quia mirabilia fecit. Vs. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen. Puer natus est nobis, et filius datus est nobis: cujus imperium super humerum ejus: et vocabitur nomen ejus magni consilii Angelus.

A child is born to us, and a Son is given to us: Whose government is upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called, the Angel of Great Counsel. Vs. (Ps. 97: 1) Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: because He hath done wonderful things. Vs. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. A child is born to us, and a Son is given to us: Whose government is upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called, the Angel of Great Counsel.

Holy Day of Obligation - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

2024-08-04T14:17:00.000-07:00

The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Sung High Mass
St. Mary Magdalen Chapel
Thursday at 7:00 PM
August 15th, 2024

On August 15th, the universal Church celebrates the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in which we commemorate her being taken up body and soul into heaven when her earthly life was finished. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us: “The Most Blessed Virgin Mary, when the course of her earthly life was completed, was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven, where she already shares in the glory of her Son's Resurrection, anticipating the resurrection of all members of His Body” (974). Thus, the Assumption looks to eternity and gives us hope that we, too, will follow Our Lady when our life is ended.

The Assumption first began to be celebrated as a feast day in the Eastern Church after the Ecumenical Council of Ephesus (431) proclaimed Mary the Mother of God. By the sixth century, the feast celebrated Mary’s Dormition, “her falling asleep.” The western church began to celebrate this feast around 650. St. John Damascene (675-749), an early Father and Doctor of the Church, expressed the belief of his time by writing that Mary’s “pure and sinless body was not left on earth but was transferred to a heavenly throne.” The Church’s teaching on the Assumption was formally proclaimed a doctrine by Pope Pius XII in 1950.

On this Feast Day, we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, who always directs us to her Son. According to Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, “The main ministry of Mary is to incline men’s hearts to obedience to the Will of her Divine Son.” Her last recorded words at Cana are the words that she conveys to us on the solemnity of the Assumption: “Do whatever He tells you.” She asks us to be obedient to Him, to surrender our hearts to Him, and to say “Yes” to Him, just as she did, despite our uncertainties. She desires that we come to Him with open and contrite hearts, seeking His mercy and His holy will in our lives, so that we may one day be united with Him in heaven for all eternity. The Blessed Mother is our advocate and guide in this life who loves us as only a mother can. Her maternal heart overflows with compassion for us, and she is always there for us, eager to listen to our prayers, and to draw us closer to the heart of her Son. Our Blessed Mother has preceded us into Heaven so that on the day of final judgment she will be there to accompany us on our eternal journey.

Portiuncula Indulgence

2024-07-30T08:32:00.000-07:00

From midnight August 1st to midnight August 2nd, you can gain the “Portinuncula” Indulgence. To obtain the Portiuncula plenary indulgence, a person must visit the Chapel of Our Lady of the Angels at Assisi, or a Franciscan sanctuary, or one’s parish church, with the intention of honoring Our Lady of the Angels. Then perform the work of reciting the Creed and Our Father and pray for the Pope’s designated intentions. You should be free, at least intentionally, of attachment to venial and mortal sin, and truly repentant. Make your sacramental confession 8 days before or after. Participate at assist at Mass and receive Holy Communion 8 days before or after.

The Portiuncula indulgence is the first plenary indulgence that was ever granted in the Church. There were indeed indulgences at all times, but they were only partial, and only a partial remission of the temporal punishments could be obtained by them. He who gains the Portiuncula indulgence is freed from all temporal punishments and becomes as pure as after holy baptism. This was also the reason why Pope Honorius was astonished when St. Francis petitioned for the confirmation of this indulgence, for such an indulgence, up to that time, had been entirely unknown. It was only after he had come to the conviction that Jesus Christ himself wished it, that he granted the petition of the saint and confirmed the indulgence.

Easter Sunday mass

2024-03-12T20:09:00.000-07:00

On Easter Sunday, The Traditional Latin Mass at Mary Magdalen Chapel will be at 1 PM. All other Sunday masses remain at 10 AM. For the rest of the Easter Triduum, there are Traditional Latin Masses offered at St Vitus in San Fernando.

Requiem Mass for Vaclav Klement

2024-02-17T08:45:00.000-08:00

Funeral services for Vaclav Klement, M.D., who attended our Camarillo Latin Mass, will be held at St Vitus Catholic Church, Tuesday February 20.

607 Fourth St, San Fernando, CA 91340

Rosary - 10 am

Requiem Mass - 10:30 am

Fr. O'Rielly, FSSP

Holy Day Latin Masses

2023-12-02T11:11:00.000-08:00

In addition to our Sunday 10 AM masses, the following Traditional Latin Masses are scheduled for holy days at Mary Magdalen Chapel.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception: Friday December 8 at 7 PM

Christmas Day: Monday December 25 at 10 AM. The Sunday 10 AM mass on Christmas Eve does not meet your Christmas holy day obligation.

New Year's Day: Monday January 1 at 10 AM.

All Saints Day

2023-10-23T21:37:00.004-07:00

Wednesday, November 1, is the Feast of All Saints, and a holy day of obligation. There will be a Traditional Latin Mass at St Mary Magdalen Chapel in Camarillo on Wednesday November 1 at 7 PM. The Chapel will not have a Latin Mass for the feast of All Souls on November 2.

Assumption Mass

2023-08-06T15:42:00.003-07:00

There will be a Traditional Latin Mass for the Feast of the Assumption on Tuesday August 15 at 7 PM at Mary Magdalen Chapel.

Choir recruiting new members

2023-06-10T17:26:00.000-07:00

The Mary Magdalen Chapel is recruiting new members! We are looking for singers of all parts who are interested in singing Gregorian chant, hymns and polyphony. All levels of musical experience are welcome, though you do need to be able to carry a tune! I (Skylar Covich) joined the choir in 2016. While most of the members today are different people than when I started, the choir has always been a very strong and welcoming community that I am proud to be a part of, and I have learned a lot about the treasury of sacred music. Because of a visual impairment, I found a way to learn Chant by ear.

If interested, email latin.mass.smm@gmail.com or the Contact form on this blog, and we can set up a meeting with the choir director, Scott Blackwood.

Easter Sunday mass

2023-03-27T10:59:00.002-07:00

The Traditional Latin Mass for Easter Sunday at Mary Magdalen Chapel will be at 1 PM. Masses on all other Sundays besides Easter Sunday continue to be at 10 AM. There are no other Traditional Latin Masses for the Triduum at Mary Magdalen Chapel; there will be a full set of Holy Week Traditional Latin Masses at St Vitus Parish in San Fernando. Our Palm Sunday mass at Mary Magdalen Chapel will include a procession before mass.

You are welcome to email latin.mass.smm@gmail.com for any questions about our community; you can also give that email address out to people who attend the mass and I will add them to the mailing list if I get an email from them.

With prayers for a spiritually fruitful Lent and Holy Week,

Skylar Covich

Christmastide masses

2022-12-18T20:04:00.003-08:00

The Traditional Latin Masses for Christmas Day and New Year's Day, which fall on Sundays, will be at 10:00 as usual

Immaculate Conception Mass

2022-11-27T21:09:00.001-08:00

There will be a Traditional Latin Mass at Mary Magdalen Chapel for the feast of the Immaculate Conception; Thursday December 8 at 7 PM.

We also want to share that Ventura Life Centers is having a poinsettia sail; they will be sold for $12 after the Traditional Latin Mass on Sunday December 4.

All Saints Mass

2022-10-24T23:03:00.004-07:00

There will be a Traditional Latin Mass for the Feast of All Saints, Tuesday November 1, at Mary Magdalen Chapel at 7 P M.

Heat this Sunday

2022-09-03T16:02:00.002-07:00

As most of you know, temperatures are unusually high for this area; up to 90 degrees in Camarillo by the time mass gets out around noon. Please remember to bring enough water, and anything else you need for these conditions.

New Choir Director

2022-08-21T22:43:00.003-07:00

Please welcome our new choir director, Scott Blackwood! His first mass with us was on the Feast of the Assumption. The choir is hard at work on new chants and polyphonic pieces. Mr. Blackwood is eager to recruit new singers. If interested, please fill out the Contact form on this blog and we will get you more information, or talk to choir members after mass.

We are grateful to Bruce Markovich, a long-time member of our choir who was interim director for over a year, and remains in the choir.

Assumption Mass

2022-07-30T15:40:00.005-07:00

For the feast of the Assumption, Monday August 15, we will have a sung Traditional Latin Mass at 7 PM at Mary Magdalen Chapel in Camarillo.

Low Sunday Doughnuts

2022-04-20T22:48:00.004-07:00

As we find ways for more people to get to know each other after mass, a community member is generously providing some doughnuts and coffee after mass this Sunday, April 24! She does need to borrow a coffee urn this week. If you may be able to help, please email Monica; mmseeley@pacbell.net

Easter Sunday, Victimae Paschali Laudes

2022-04-16T22:30:00.000-07:00

Don't forget that today's Easter Sunday mass is at 1 PM. All other Sunday masses are at 10 AM.

And here is a recording of the beautiful Sequence that our schola will sing right before the Gospel. Victimae Paschali Laudes was composed around the eleventh century, and was confirmed as the Easter sequence at the Council of Trent.