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A friend asked if anyone knows of the Mozarabic Rite in Toledo Spain....

I figure for sure someone will have info on it..

God Bless,
Pani Rose

Ah, yes, the Mozarabic Liturgy. Quite a worth-while experience, but attending it can be a challenge. It's done every morning (the Mass, that is - I think they still do Vespers in the evenings, but I'm not sure) in the Mozarabic Chapel of Toledo Cathedral. Last time I was there, the Mass was at 8:30 AM. Therein lies part of the fun.
Although one must go inside the Cathedral to reach the Chapel, they are nevertheless two separate and distinct entities. The people who run the Cathedral, and especially the people who look after tourists to the Cathedral, are not particularly anxious to help those who wish to attend the Mozarabic Mass. So the first thing to do on arrival in Toledo is insist, and I do mean INSIST, that the hotel desk ring the Cathedral and confirm the hour of the Mozarabic Mass in the morning. Neither the hotel desk nor the Cathedral office are anxious to do this.
The Mass presumably takes place before the Cathedral opens to tourists. But do not despair. Arm yourself with a map, and stroll from the hotel to the Cathedral, to the courtyard at the main entrance. ONE door will be open, with nobody to give you directions. Slip inside through the One Only door, and walk along the inside rear wall of the Cathedral. In the far corner you will find - surprise! - the Mozarabic Chapel. If you've timed this correctly, the Mozarabic Chapel will be unlocked and the door opened and some lights will be on. Go inside, and notice that on the far side from the entrance door there are some benches. Sit down, say your prayers and admire the magnificent art work.
Again, if your timing is right, in a moment or two three priests will emerge from the sacristy (the chapel has its own sacristy) and will be shocked to see you. One of the priests will vest, go to the altar and celebrate the Mass; the other two priests will provide the singing (usually quite good). If the celebrant is feeling benevolent, he may even offer to give you Holy Communion.
When the Mass is finished and the three priests have vanished back into the sacristy, admire the art work some more (it really is beautiful), take pictures if you like, and eventually slip out of the Mozarabic Chapel and stroll happily around the interior of the Cathedral, admiring everything which is there to admire (plenty - and what's more, you've gotten inside without paying, which is impossible to do even a few minutes later). Soon the Mozarabic Chapel will be locked and chained; nobody is allowed inside during Tourist Time.
When you emerge from the Cathedral back into the courtyard, you will notice several kiosks selling souvenirs, postcards, pictures of the inside and outside of the Cathedral, etc. You will look in vain for any pictures of the Mozarabic Chapel, which is why you should take your own photographs.
Enjoy!
Christ is Risen!
Incognitus

Christ is risen!

Here is a link to a well-written article (that is out of date, but has good history):

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10611a.htm

My Schola Cantorum in Chicago has had the privilege of singing the Mozarabic Liturgy twice; once when the Diocese of Toledo transferred some relics of the Apostle St. James to Loyola University in Chicago (the liturgy was celebrated at St. James Chapel of Quigley Prep. Seminary in downtown Chicago, with three visiting priests from Toledo), and the second time, at Sacred Heart Seminary in Hales Corners, WI, where Fr. Raul Gomez is officially bi-ritual in the Roman and Mozarabic uses. The chant is different from Gregorian chant, and is very beautiful.

Prof. J. Michael Thompson
Byzantine Catholic Seminary
Pittsburgh, PA

I have a copy of the "Guia de la Iglesia Catholica en Espana" and it lists 7 other parishes which celebrate the Mozarabic Rite.

Most of them are in Toledo.

WOW! THANKS FOR ALL THE AWESOME INFORMATION.

Pani Rose

the Language of the Mozarabic rite is Latin, right? Or was it modernized after Vatican 2 and now said in Spanish?

Nektarios,

Traditonally it was in Latin as were all Western Rites but the Spanish Episcopal Conference is currently completing a revision of the Mozarabic Missal in Spanish.

Fr. Deacon Lance