Una Voce DC

On February 29, 2024, the Arlington Latin Mass Society became a chapter of Una Voce America, serving the Washington, DC, metropolitan area as Una Voce DC.

Una Voce, founded in 1966 in Rome, is an international federation of associations dedicated to ensuring that the Roman Mass codified by St. Pius V is maintained as one of the forms of Eucharistic worship which are honored in universal liturgical life, and to restoring the use of Latin, Gregorian Chant, and sacred polyphony in Catholic liturgy.

Membership in the chapter is open to practicing Catholics, as well as catechumens, who agree to our chapter's Statement of Purpose (Article II in our chapter constitution, below). Spouses and relatives should each submit an individual application. Membership confers a formal association with ALMS and Una Voce, and members will share in the spiritual benefits of all Masses, prayers, and penances offered for members of the chapter or Una Voce as a whole.

Arlington Latin Mass Society – Una Voce DC

Chapter Constitution

Article I: Name & Scope

1. This Chapter of Una Voce, hereinafter the “Chapter”, is an organ of the Arlington Latin Mass Society, also known simply as “ALMS”, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

2. The Chapter’s formal name shall be the same as that of its operating organization, i.e. the Arlington Latin Mass Society.

3. The Chapter is a member of Una Voce America.

4. The Chapter serves the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, specifically the Diocese of Arlington and the Archdiocese of Washington. The Chapter’s activities may extend to other surrounding areas as well.

5. For purposes of identification with the International Federation Una Voce and Una Voce America, the name of the Chapter may be stated as “Arlington Latin Mass Society – Una Voce DC” or simply “UVDC”.

Article II: Statement of Purpose

The Chapter has the following aims that shall direct its activities:

1. To work as a lay movement within the Catholic Church for an organic restoration of the liturgy in conformity with its nature and with the Latin tradition.

2. To ensure that the traditional Roman Mass as codified in the Missale Romanum edited by Pope John XXIII is maintained — both in practice and in law — as one of the forms of Eucharistic celebration which are recognized and honored in universal liturgical life.

3. To obtain freedom of use for all other Roman liturgical books enshrining “previous liturgical and disciplinary forms of the Latin tradition” (cf. Ecclesia Dei, n. 5).

4. To safeguard and promote the use of Latin, Gregorian chant, and sacred polyphony in the liturgy of the Latin Church.

5. To encourage, wherever it would benefit the faithful, the establishment of non-territorial parishes, public oratories, and/or chaplaincies in which only the liturgical books of 1962 or earlier are employed.

6. To serve the Church by helping the members of the movement and, through their apostolate, all the Christifideles better to understand, and more fruitfully to participate in, the Catholic liturgy as a sacred action.

Article III: Officers

1. The Officers of the Chapter shall be the members of the Board of Directors and executive officers of the Arlington Latin Mass Society, as incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, who shall serve as the Board of Directors and executive officers of the Chapter in the same respective capacities, namely, as President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and member of the Board of Directors, as applicable to each Board member or executive officer.

2. The Officers shall perform the duties required of them by the Constitution of the Chapter.

3. The Officers may suspend members of the Chapter for cause, at their discretion. In the case of such a suspension, the Treasurer shall immediately send to the suspended member a notice of suspension, including the effective date and the reason.

Article IV: Membership

1. Candidates for membership shall submit an application to be made available on the ALMS website. The application may be submitted via postal mail, digitally, or in person by delivery to an Officer.

2. Only practicing Catholics and catechumens who agree to our Chapter’s Statement of Purpose are eligible for membership.

3. The President or his delegate shall approve or deny applications for membership within 30 days of receipt. A candidate’s membership shall be effective immediately upon approval.

4. Each member shall pay annual dues of $40 no later than January 31 of each year. Dues must be paid in U.S. dollars and may be paid by any lawful means, excluding cryptocurrency.

   1. Dues shall be waived for members who are clerics in major orders (i.e. who are at least deacons) or seminarians.

   2. Dues for full-time student members shall be reduced to $25.

5. All new members shall pay prorated dues no later than 30 days following approval of membership.

Article V: Funds

All monies obtained from any source, by or through any person or persons, acting for or in the name of the Chapter or under its direction or authority, shall be the property of ALMS, and shall be delivered forthwith to one of the Officers, who shall in turn deposit or transfer said monies to the Treasury of ALMS.

Article VI: Miscellaneous

1. This Constitution may be amended at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

2. The by-laws of the Arlington Latin Mass Society, as incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, shall extend to the Chapter, and its Board of Directors and executive officers shall perform the duties required of them thereunder.

3. Should the said by-laws conflict with this Constitution, the former shall prevail.