(LifeSiteNews) — A Pew Research survey has found that just over 10 percent of US Catholics have attended a Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) at least once in the last five years.
The X account of traditional Catholic blog Rorate Caeli noted, “13% is a LOT. Much higher than the naysayers would like to admit…”
13% is a LOT. Much higher than the naysayers would like to admit…
2% of permanent TLM attendees is a quite good number. Surely more than any of the Eastern Rites in the US, which have several bishops… And which no one wants to interfere with (correctly, we might add).
— Rorate Caeli (@RorateCaeli) June 26, 2025
The number is especially significant considering TLMs have been severely restricted since Pope Francis issued Traditionis Custodes in 2021, and even since his death earlier this year, most recently in locations such as the Archdiocese of Detroit and the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Interestingly, according to the Pew survey, 13% is the same percentage of Catholics who say they pray daily, and attend Mass at least weekly, and go to confession at least once a year.
The study, which was conducted in February, also found that 2% of Catholics say they attend the TLM weekly.
READ: Charlotte bishop delays Latin Mass restrictions after intense backlash
Traditional Latin Masses were nearly wiped out worldwide after Pope Paul VI promulgated the Novus Ordo Missae (or “new Mass”) in 1969. In the decades that followed, TLMs were mainly offered by priests of the Priestly Society of St. Pius X (SSPX).
In the late 1980’s, the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) was formed to support clergy who also offered the Latin Mass, and soon after that the Institute of Christ the King (ICKSP) was established.
In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI issued a motu proprio titled Summorum Pontificum which clarified that the Old Mass was never abolished, and that every priest does not need his bishops’ permission to offer it.
“What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us, too,” Benedict wrote.
More TLMs started being offered in the years that followed but Traditionis Custodes has brought many of them to an end. Thus far, Pope Leo XIV has remained silent as bishops have continued to crack down on the Latin Mass.
