The 30th anniversary of the first public Mass in Albania


On the 4th of November, thirty years ago in 1990, Albanian Catholics and non-Catholics gathered spontaneously at the former Catholic cemetery of Rrmaj in Shkodër, Albania. They were waiting for the surviving priest to say the Holy Mass. Since the Communist government had killed and convicted most of the clergy and laity, and eventually banned religion in 1967, the aforementioned action was considered deadly. The brave priest Dom Simon Jubani (pictured here) showed up, improvised the altar, and brought a Missal, crucifix, and vestments which he had kept secretly for decades. 

Rev. Simon Jubani celebrating the Holy Mass according to the Ancient Roman Rite, Versus Populum

Knowing he could be killed during the Mass, Fr. Robert Ashta O.F.M. decided to wear the liturgical vestments as well, in order to be there to finish the Mass if necessary. Thank God, nobody was shot. The first public Mass was celebrated in Latin according to the traditional Roman Rite, because neither of the surviving priests was familiar with nor informed about the Novus Ordo. The Holy Mass was celebrated once again on 11th of November. Shortly after, massive protests were organized across the country, and Communism collapsed next month, in December. The Holy Mass was among the first events which marked the end of Communism in Albania!


-Albert Bikaj


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