Solemn Pontifical Mass in the Ancient Use of the Roman rite at the parish church of St. Teresa of Avila
Sunday, August 31, 2008
From the Liturgical Conference in Hungary
Solemn Pontifical Mass in the Ancient Use of the Roman rite at the parish church of St. Teresa of Avila
More on 'Summorum Pontificum'
Evaluating the Meaning of a Movement
Abbé de Cacqueray FSSPX speaks about Summorum Pontificum
Over the past year, conflicting judgments have been issued concerning the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum promulgated in July 2007. In hindsight it is possible to have a clearer picture.
It seems to me that the fundamental point to properly interpret it is to recognize it as the inauguration of a movement on the liturgy and, hence, the Church itself (Lex orandi, lex credendi). Only by evaluating the meaning and scope of this movement can one express a fair and justified judgment.
A movement must have a point of departure. What was the situation of the liturgy in June 2007? The overwhelming, almost total domination of the so-called Mass of Pope Paul VI, and the almost complete elimination of the traditional Mass which was regarded as totally obsolete if not outright prohibited.
Responding to this situation were two very small groups. On the one hand, the "traditionalists" who consistently said that the traditional Mass was not and could not be prohibited and who never accepted the Mass of Paul VI and were severely persecuted by ecclesiastical authorities. On the other hand the "Ecclesia Dei" faction which, by the grace of a few exceptional laws, was permitted under restrictive conditions to celebrate the traditional Mass on the premise of spiritual preference.
The first article of the Motu Proprio is clearly unacceptable: the traditional Mass and the Mass of Paul VI are "two usages of the one Roman rite." But this is only a starting point.
However from this (catastrophic) state of things, the Motu Proprio goes on to pave the way much more widely for the celebration of the traditional Mass than anything that had been done up until then.
“[T]he Roman Missal promulgated by St. Pius V and reissued by Bl. John XXIII is to be […] given due honour for its venerable and ancient usage”; “It is, therefore, permissible to celebrate the Sacrifice of the Mass following the typical edition of the Roman Missal promulgated by Bl. John XXIII in 1962 and never abrogated”; “[E]ach Catholic priest of the Latin rite, whether secular or regular, may use the Roman Missal published by Bl. Pope John XXIII in 1962”; “For such celebrations […], the priest has no need for permission from the Apostolic See or from his Ordinary” etc.
Further (from the pope's letter): "I would like to draw attention to the fact that this Missal was never juridically abrogated and, consequently, in principle, was always permitted.”
The Motu Proprio opens a door to the traditional liturgy for anyone, and they are many, who have been unlawfully deprived of it for the past forty years.
This of course, does not concern those who have always known that the traditional Mass can not be prohibited, and therefore have attended it with a clear conscience. For this minority, the "traditionalists", to employ the Motu Proprio would be a step backwards: it would admit that the Mass of Paul VI carries "the same dignity" as that of the traditional Mass which they have always denied.
However, those who have known only the Mass of Paul VI and, given the propaganda, have been convinced up until now that the traditional Mass was prohibited or bad; are now afforded access to this Mass through the Motu Proprio and may begin to discover its riches.
This is the essential meaning of the movement launched by the Motu Proprio: A possibility for all baptized who have been deprived of it for decades, to see for the first time the traditional liturgy of the Church and get re-accustomed to it - a gradual but humanly necessary beginning, at least in terms of the liturgical crisis.
The French bishops (in particular) who do everything to block, restrict, and distort the Motu Proprio, were not mistaken.
Therefore let us not ourselves be mistaken.
Abbé Régis de Cacqueray †, Supérieur du District de France
La Porte Latine
Article taken taken from 'RORATE CAELI'
http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/
Abbé de Cacqueray FSSPX speaks about Summorum Pontificum
Over the past year, conflicting judgments have been issued concerning the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum promulgated in July 2007. In hindsight it is possible to have a clearer picture.
It seems to me that the fundamental point to properly interpret it is to recognize it as the inauguration of a movement on the liturgy and, hence, the Church itself (Lex orandi, lex credendi). Only by evaluating the meaning and scope of this movement can one express a fair and justified judgment.
A movement must have a point of departure. What was the situation of the liturgy in June 2007? The overwhelming, almost total domination of the so-called Mass of Pope Paul VI, and the almost complete elimination of the traditional Mass which was regarded as totally obsolete if not outright prohibited.
Responding to this situation were two very small groups. On the one hand, the "traditionalists" who consistently said that the traditional Mass was not and could not be prohibited and who never accepted the Mass of Paul VI and were severely persecuted by ecclesiastical authorities. On the other hand the "Ecclesia Dei" faction which, by the grace of a few exceptional laws, was permitted under restrictive conditions to celebrate the traditional Mass on the premise of spiritual preference.
The first article of the Motu Proprio is clearly unacceptable: the traditional Mass and the Mass of Paul VI are "two usages of the one Roman rite." But this is only a starting point.
However from this (catastrophic) state of things, the Motu Proprio goes on to pave the way much more widely for the celebration of the traditional Mass than anything that had been done up until then.
“[T]he Roman Missal promulgated by St. Pius V and reissued by Bl. John XXIII is to be […] given due honour for its venerable and ancient usage”; “It is, therefore, permissible to celebrate the Sacrifice of the Mass following the typical edition of the Roman Missal promulgated by Bl. John XXIII in 1962 and never abrogated”; “[E]ach Catholic priest of the Latin rite, whether secular or regular, may use the Roman Missal published by Bl. Pope John XXIII in 1962”; “For such celebrations […], the priest has no need for permission from the Apostolic See or from his Ordinary” etc.
Further (from the pope's letter): "I would like to draw attention to the fact that this Missal was never juridically abrogated and, consequently, in principle, was always permitted.”
The Motu Proprio opens a door to the traditional liturgy for anyone, and they are many, who have been unlawfully deprived of it for the past forty years.
This of course, does not concern those who have always known that the traditional Mass can not be prohibited, and therefore have attended it with a clear conscience. For this minority, the "traditionalists", to employ the Motu Proprio would be a step backwards: it would admit that the Mass of Paul VI carries "the same dignity" as that of the traditional Mass which they have always denied.
However, those who have known only the Mass of Paul VI and, given the propaganda, have been convinced up until now that the traditional Mass was prohibited or bad; are now afforded access to this Mass through the Motu Proprio and may begin to discover its riches.
This is the essential meaning of the movement launched by the Motu Proprio: A possibility for all baptized who have been deprived of it for decades, to see for the first time the traditional liturgy of the Church and get re-accustomed to it - a gradual but humanly necessary beginning, at least in terms of the liturgical crisis.
The French bishops (in particular) who do everything to block, restrict, and distort the Motu Proprio, were not mistaken.
Therefore let us not ourselves be mistaken.
Abbé Régis de Cacqueray †, Supérieur du District de France
La Porte Latine
Article taken taken from 'RORATE CAELI'
http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
The Beautiful old Altar of St. Patricks, a Lost Heritage
The Beautiful old Altar of St. Patricks La Rochelle,(my home parish), consecrated by the late and saintly Bishop Cox O.M.I, in memory of all those fallen in the first Great War.
The picture dates from the year 1969 taken by my Grandfather on the occasion of my Mothers First Holy Communion, toward the end of this same year, this beautiful church was demolished and this beautiful terracotta masterpiece was lost to history.
The Sad conseqences of the implementation of the supposed 'directives' of Vatican II.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
BEATI TO BE
Taken From the Office of the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff:
"The Office of the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff announces that in the next months the Rites of Beatification of the following Servants of God will take place:
LOUIS MARTIN AND ZÉLIE MARIE GUÉRIN, laypeople, spouses and parents: Sunday, October 19th, 2008, in Lisieux (France), in the Basilica of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus, at 10 a.m."
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Pope wants TLM to be available in every Parish
From Times OnlineJune 17, 2008
Pope says old-rite Latin Mass should be on offer in every Catholic parish
The Vatican is writing to seminaries to request all student priests are trained in how to say the Tridentine Mass, a liturgy abandoned for Mass in the vernacular in the 1960s
Pope Benedict XVI wants every parish in the West to offer believers the Mass in the Tridentine or Gregorian Rite, the Latin-language liturgy used until the 1960s by every Catholic church in the world.
The Vatican is now writing to seminaries to ask that student priests be required to learn the rite, which, in widescale liturgical changes following the modernising church council Vatican II (1962-5), was largely replaced by Mass in the vernacular.
The Pope wishes every parish to offer both rites for Sunday Mass, an eminent Vatican Cardinal announced in London on Saturday. Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, President of the Ecclesia Dei Commission, said: “The Holy Father is willing to offer to all the people this possibility, not only for the few groups who demand it but so that everybody knows this way of celebrating the Eucharist in the Catholic Church.”
It was a “gift” and a “treasure,” Castrillon Hoyos said, hours before celebrating a Tridentine liturgy attended by some 1,500 worshippers at Westminster Cathedral on June 14. “This kind of worship is so noble, so beautiful – the deepest theologians’ way to express our faith. The worship, the music, the architecture, the painting, makes a whole that is a treasure.”
He attacked claims by Catholics who claim the Tridentine revival is a step backwards liturgically, saying: “Others think that the Holy Father is going against the Second Vatican Council. That is absolute ignorance. The Fathers of the Council, never celebrated a Mass other than the Gregorian one. It [the Novus Ordo] came after the Council … The Holy Father, who is a theologian and who was in the preparation for the Council, is acting exactly in the way of the Council, offering with freedom the different kinds of celebration.”
He added: "The experience of these 40 years has not always been so good. Many people abandoned the sense of adoration (of God)…There is (now) an atmosphere that makes it possible for these abuses and that atmosphere must be changed,” he said in English. “It is not a matter of confrontation but of dialogue — fraternal dialogue — making efforts to understand the precious things contained in the new and the old rites.”
Used worldwide in Catholic parishes from 1570 until the 1960s, the Tridentine Rite also differs in key aspects from the modern Catholic liturgy. In the modern Mass, a priest will face the congregants, in the Tridentine Rite, he will pray facing the altar, traditionally placed facing East, towards Jerusalem, and thus the direction of the place from which Christ is believed to have ascended to heaven.
In July 2007. Benedict XVI announced that every priest who wished to do so might celebrate Mass in the Tridentine Rite – without requiring, as had previously been the case, permission from their local bishop.
Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos added: “Today for many bishops it is difficult because they don’t have priests who don’t know Latin.Many seminaries give very few hours to Latin – not enough to give the necessary preparation to celebrate in a good way the Extraordinary Form.”
Saturday, August 16, 2008
The Feast of the Assumption around the world.
.JPG)
Archbishop Ranjith,(two last pictures) celebrating the Holy Sacrifice. Seen here imparting the Pontifical Blessing. Note, the 'Ordinary Form' or the Mass of Paul VI was celebrated , 'ad orientem' i.e. facing the liturgical east. Also worth noting is that the vesture of the Archbishop as well as that of the Altar, here seen in what has come to be known as the 'Benedictine' arrangement. Another important factor was seen at the distribution of the Blessed Sacrament at communion, following the example of the Holy Father Himself , Archbishop Ranjith employed the use of Kneelers at which the faithful communicated whilst kneeling and on the toungue.
Seen also in the 3rd last photograph is the Celebration of the the Feast of the Assumption on Papa Stronsay by Rev.Fr. Anthony Mary F.S.S.R, here is seen the Tridentine Latin Mass or the 'Extraordinary Form' of the Roman Rite.
Seen in the first photographs, is that of the Assumption Grotto in which is seen the celebration of the feast of the Assumption which also was a celebration of their parishes patronal feast.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
A PRAYER FOR OUR COUNTRIES PATRONAL FEAST
Prayer for South Africa
Almighty, Eternal God, Who desireth the salvation of all mankind, look down in thy mercy upon the people of South Africa and bring them all to the light of the Gospel and the Unity of Faith.
Teach us to walk in the footsteps of thy Son, Jesus Christ, that we may be his worthy deciples in the love we bear one another, and in our zeal for His kingdom of Justice, of truth and of peace.
Who livest and reignest for ever and ever.
Amen.
Queen, assumed into Heaven, Patroness of South Africa
PRAY FOR US.
Act of Consecration to Mary, the Patroness of South Africa
( to be made on August 15th or the following day)
O Immaculate Virgin, Blessed Mother of God, look down upon thy children gathered at thy feet. We know, O glorious Mother, how the sword of sorrow pierced thy heart when thy Son Jesus died on Calvary
before thine eyes.We rejoice that, for thy devoted life and sufferings bravely borne, Almighty God bestowed upon thee the reward of thy glorious Assumption.
We honour thee whom God honoured when, thine earthly sojourn ended, He raised up thy pure and spotless body, that holy temple of the word made flesh and joined itwith thy soulin everlasting bliss. O Queen, assumed into Heaven, with one voice we acclaim thee our Heavenly Patroness, and with fillial love we consecrate to thee our country and our people.
Through thy prayers, O gracious Mother, may thy Son be known and loved throughout South Africa; may His Kingdom flourish in our land, a Kingdom of justice, truth and peace.
Teach us to follow in his footsteps, firm in the faith, obedient to his law, subjecting soul and body to His holy sway. That when our mortal life is ended, we may gaze upon his facein heaven and share, as thou, O Blessed Mother, dost already, the glory of His Resurrection.
Amen.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
On A Good Confession
Guide to Confession
"The minister to whom confession is made is the delegate of Christ, Who is the Judge of the living and the dead."
- St Thomas Aquinas
(Excerpt taken from Catholic Home and Garden)
Please Follow the Link Here to read More
http://www.catholichomeandgarden.com/confession.htm
A Truly wonderful read, for a truly Miraculous Sacrament!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The letter mentioned in the Previous Post
SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM JOHANNESBURG
50 Von Brandis St
Turffontein
2190
Johannesburg
Republic of South Africa
Most Reverend Father Feast of the Transfiguration
Greetings to you in the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts
I pray that this correspondence finds you in good health. The purpose of this letter is to inform you as Parish Priest, that there exists here in the Archdiocese a forum for Catholics who, are attached to or would find interest in the Tridentine Latin Mass, i.e. the ‘extraordinary form’ of the Roman Rite as decreed in the Holy Fathers Moto Proprio, ‘Summorum Pontificum’.
The forum is named in accordance with the Moto Proprio of the Supreme Pontiff, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and exists so as to provide a point of reference and general forum for the aforementioned faithful and clergy alike, and is aimed at gathering such people into a specific group intended for the promotion of the extraordinary form here in the Archdiocese.
Thus Father, would it be at all possible for you to include into your Parish Bulletin or notices a few points which I have included here, for which it is intended that any Catholic here in the Archdiocese to become aware that there is a body in place which would accommodate their interests.
Therefore, please be so kind as to allow for the following to be made known to the faithful of your parish.
“TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS AND SACRAMENTS JOHANNESBURG
Any Catholic residing here in the Archdiocese who wishes to join our cause in establishing a Latin Mass Group is invited to contact us at “SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM JOHANNESBURG”, please with your relevant details. This is imperative so as to allow us to create a data base of all those interested and thus enable us to inform you of the forthcoming Latin Mass which should be taking place in the near feature.
If you would like to get in contact with me regarding the Latin Mass here in Johannesburg or more importantly questions concerning our quest to establish the Traditional Mass and Sacraments here in the Archdiocese, please feel free to do so at:
Physical Address
50 Von Brandis St, Turffontein 2190
Johannesburg, Gauteng
Republic of South Africa
Web Address
http://summorumpontificumjhb.blogspot.com/
Or via telephone at
(CELLULAR)
076 350 2278
(HOME)
011 683 3938”
I would much appreciate this gesture on your behalf as the shepherd of souls in your own parish, in recognizing this specific spiritual need of a large portion of the faithful.
The invitation is however not restricted only to lay persons but you as a member of the clergy as well.
I look forward to hearing from either yourself, or at least some of your parishioners
I remain, Father, your humble servant in Christ and our Good Mother
Mr. Calvin James Montgomery B.A (Wits)
PRESIDENT AND EDITOR
“SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM JOHANNESBURG”
50 Von Brandis St
Turffontein
2190
Johannesburg
Republic of South Africa
Most Reverend Father Feast of the Transfiguration
Greetings to you in the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts
I pray that this correspondence finds you in good health. The purpose of this letter is to inform you as Parish Priest, that there exists here in the Archdiocese a forum for Catholics who, are attached to or would find interest in the Tridentine Latin Mass, i.e. the ‘extraordinary form’ of the Roman Rite as decreed in the Holy Fathers Moto Proprio, ‘Summorum Pontificum’.
The forum is named in accordance with the Moto Proprio of the Supreme Pontiff, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and exists so as to provide a point of reference and general forum for the aforementioned faithful and clergy alike, and is aimed at gathering such people into a specific group intended for the promotion of the extraordinary form here in the Archdiocese.
Thus Father, would it be at all possible for you to include into your Parish Bulletin or notices a few points which I have included here, for which it is intended that any Catholic here in the Archdiocese to become aware that there is a body in place which would accommodate their interests.
Therefore, please be so kind as to allow for the following to be made known to the faithful of your parish.
“TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS AND SACRAMENTS JOHANNESBURG
Any Catholic residing here in the Archdiocese who wishes to join our cause in establishing a Latin Mass Group is invited to contact us at “SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM JOHANNESBURG”, please with your relevant details. This is imperative so as to allow us to create a data base of all those interested and thus enable us to inform you of the forthcoming Latin Mass which should be taking place in the near feature.
If you would like to get in contact with me regarding the Latin Mass here in Johannesburg or more importantly questions concerning our quest to establish the Traditional Mass and Sacraments here in the Archdiocese, please feel free to do so at:
Physical Address
50 Von Brandis St, Turffontein 2190
Johannesburg, Gauteng
Republic of South Africa
Web Address
http://summorumpontificumjhb.blogspot.com/
Or via telephone at
(CELLULAR)
076 350 2278
(HOME)
011 683 3938”
I would much appreciate this gesture on your behalf as the shepherd of souls in your own parish, in recognizing this specific spiritual need of a large portion of the faithful.
The invitation is however not restricted only to lay persons but you as a member of the clergy as well.
I look forward to hearing from either yourself, or at least some of your parishioners
I remain, Father, your humble servant in Christ and our Good Mother
Mr. Calvin James Montgomery B.A (Wits)
PRESIDENT AND EDITOR
“SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM JOHANNESBURG”
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Proposed letter to all Archdiocesan Parishes in preparation for the Return of the Mass here in Johannesburg
Dearest Friends in Christ
A little news on our behalf, in a short while I shall be compiling a letter to be sent to all parishes in the Archdiocese; telling of ourselves, as well as inviting all Johannesburg Catholics interested in our cause to join us.This is in preparation for when the TLM will again be offered by our generous Priest friend.
As soon as the aforementioned letter is completed it shall be posted posthaste.
In Christ and our Good Mother
Calvin James
President and EDITOR
SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM JOHANNESBURG
A little news on our behalf, in a short while I shall be compiling a letter to be sent to all parishes in the Archdiocese; telling of ourselves, as well as inviting all Johannesburg Catholics interested in our cause to join us.This is in preparation for when the TLM will again be offered by our generous Priest friend.
As soon as the aforementioned letter is completed it shall be posted posthaste.
In Christ and our Good Mother
Calvin James
President and EDITOR
SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM JOHANNESBURG
Friday, August 1, 2008
The case of the Tridentine Mass, and the ‘Reform of the Reform’ of the liturgy of Paul VI as promoted in the Papacy of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI
( A Rough Draft of something I intend to expand on and complete, as you can see it is in its begining stages)
The resurgence of interest in the Catholic liturgy since the Second Vatican Council may be seen as one of the few true developments and implementations of the council documents within the 40 year time span since the close of the council itself. It seems as if the true ‘spirit’ of the council is only now starting to emerge, in the sense that, the ‘organic’ evolution and development of the Latin rite liturgy is now receiving greater focus and consequential to this is seen in the revision or ‘reform’ the current state of the liturgy within the church under the current reign of the supreme Pontiff, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.
The purpose of this paper therfore, is intended, as a means of high-lighting the latest developments from Rome, as well as a means by which those unaware of such developments may align the liturgy within their own parochial contexts closer to that of Rome herself. Firstly, the case and cause of the Tridentine Mass shall be attended to and commented upon with reference to our own specific situation here in Southern Africa as well as across the globe. Secondly, the situation currently termed the ‘Reform of the Reform’ of the Latin rite liturgy according to the missal of Pope Paul VI as well as providing basic guidelines for the implementation of the “reform of the reform”
1. A General Overview
“The Constitution Missale Romanum – neither orders the use of the new Missal nor forbids the use of the old one ”, such a view held almost three decades ago was termed definitively as schismatic, today however in the wake of the Moto Proprio of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, entitled “Summorum Pontificum”, such a view is now the solemn magesterium of Holy Mother Church. The real counter-action to the slander laid against faithful and religious alike, attached to this venerable Missal, was seen within the declaration made by the Holy Father himself, that “This liturgy has never been abrogated”.
Following the introduction of the New Order of Mass- Novus Ordo Missae- in 1969, the entire Catholic world was torn into two camps, those who welcomed the new revision of the Catholic liturgy and breathed a sigh of relief at the thought that the new dispensation allowed for a “greater freedom” within the church and her liturgy, and those who felt that their faith had been betrayed by the very people who were supposed to ensure its survival. This second group of people, who could not, out of good conscience accept the reforms imposed upon them by the agents of Vatican II, gathered themselves together to form what would become the worldwide traditionalist movement that we see today.
It goes without question that the Church as it exists today 2000 years since its foundation by Christ himself, again finds herself in a state of crisis. Those who deny the existence of such a situation need not look further than the Pope himself for a validation of this point, “Ratzinger has summed up the experience of the council by saying that while “a leap forward” had been expected, there soon came a “process of decline” . This “process of decline” as identified by the then Cardinal Ratzinger, has become self evident in all spheres of the Church most especially in her liturgy. The Liturgy is the life of the Church, the centre point around which everything draws its nourishment.
Thus, one can after a short time of observation, conclude that there exists a vast divide between the pre-concilliar church and the post-concilliar church, the crisis itself is made evident in the statistics which themselves tell of a decline in the church in a manner not seen before. The term Apostasy, seems befitting as a means of identifying the current crisis. Obviously, such a comment is not in any sense a generalisation; however the fact remains that a vast majority of the Catholic world has lost the faith. It seems as if, were it not for the second group of Catholics mentioned previously, the Church would have found herself today in an unconceivable condition.
Thus, with the restoration of the Tridentine Mass, to its full rights within the Church, it is hoped that the current crisis might in some way begin to be counteracted. As, certain high ranking members of the traditionalist movement have pointed out, that the crisis of faith within the church will not be solved “over night”, so to speak. Rather, it will take a few generations from here until we see the restoration of the faith. The Tridentine mass itself, cannot exist without sound catholic doctrine, this is a fact and understandably so in that the Mass itself is an expression of that same doctrine. The Purpose of the Mass since the time of its codification at the Council of Trent by Pope St. Pius V was to defend and ossify catholic doctrine from the errors of Protestantism.
Thus the same holds true for the errors which are abound today within the bride of Christ. The errors condemned time and time again by the Holy Pontiffs up to and including the last prince of God, Venerable Pope Pius XII. Doctrinal errors of the faith have to be corrected before any advancement is made toward the eventual triumph of the Immaculate heart.
2. The Tridentine Latin Mass The Missal of Bl. Pope John XXIII 1962
Taking the above into account, it goes without question to understand why the Mass according to the Missal of Bl. Pope John XXIII (St. Pius V), was deemed “the most beautiful thing this side of heaven”. This Mass, the eternal Mass, has a certain ‘staying power’; by this one intends to insinuate that the Mass of Pius V would have been soon forgotten as a distant memory if its benefits and the graces it provides were absent, however this is obviously not the case. Even today almost forty years since the introduction of the Novus Ordo Missae, the Tridentine Latin Mass still is able to have a far reaching effect on those who, like myself, were not privileged enough to have been raised with this Mass and the Sacraments. It has sustained the church for over five centuries, nourished the souls of all the faithful and raised up numerous amounts of sainted individuals.
Those who after the reforms of 1969, chose rather to adhere to this venerable liturgy, have grown from strength to strength with regard to maintaining the Catholic faith as it was and ever shall be. The reinstating of the Tridentine Latin Mass to its full rights therfore is the first step in the battle to the re-establishing the doctrinal integrity of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, for undoubtedly a necessary prerequisite for the Tridentine Latin Mass is true Catholic doctrine .
One thus begins to question, what then is the doctrine of Holy Mother Church which the Mass so requires?
Firstly, the Missal of 1962 and the Missal of 1969 are vastly different in comparison, in terms of the doctrinal discrepancies which abound in the latter. Cardinals Ottiavani and Bacci, in their capacity as Princes of the Church, submitted a document to Pope Paul VI concerning this particular subject, in which they detailed how the New Mass was a “departure from the traditional doctrine of the Catholic Church”
( to be continued - I invite any readers to make a comment on the above)
The resurgence of interest in the Catholic liturgy since the Second Vatican Council may be seen as one of the few true developments and implementations of the council documents within the 40 year time span since the close of the council itself. It seems as if the true ‘spirit’ of the council is only now starting to emerge, in the sense that, the ‘organic’ evolution and development of the Latin rite liturgy is now receiving greater focus and consequential to this is seen in the revision or ‘reform’ the current state of the liturgy within the church under the current reign of the supreme Pontiff, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.
The purpose of this paper therfore, is intended, as a means of high-lighting the latest developments from Rome, as well as a means by which those unaware of such developments may align the liturgy within their own parochial contexts closer to that of Rome herself. Firstly, the case and cause of the Tridentine Mass shall be attended to and commented upon with reference to our own specific situation here in Southern Africa as well as across the globe. Secondly, the situation currently termed the ‘Reform of the Reform’ of the Latin rite liturgy according to the missal of Pope Paul VI as well as providing basic guidelines for the implementation of the “reform of the reform”
1. A General Overview
“The Constitution Missale Romanum – neither orders the use of the new Missal nor forbids the use of the old one ”, such a view held almost three decades ago was termed definitively as schismatic, today however in the wake of the Moto Proprio of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, entitled “Summorum Pontificum”, such a view is now the solemn magesterium of Holy Mother Church. The real counter-action to the slander laid against faithful and religious alike, attached to this venerable Missal, was seen within the declaration made by the Holy Father himself, that “This liturgy has never been abrogated”.
Following the introduction of the New Order of Mass- Novus Ordo Missae- in 1969, the entire Catholic world was torn into two camps, those who welcomed the new revision of the Catholic liturgy and breathed a sigh of relief at the thought that the new dispensation allowed for a “greater freedom” within the church and her liturgy, and those who felt that their faith had been betrayed by the very people who were supposed to ensure its survival. This second group of people, who could not, out of good conscience accept the reforms imposed upon them by the agents of Vatican II, gathered themselves together to form what would become the worldwide traditionalist movement that we see today.
It goes without question that the Church as it exists today 2000 years since its foundation by Christ himself, again finds herself in a state of crisis. Those who deny the existence of such a situation need not look further than the Pope himself for a validation of this point, “Ratzinger has summed up the experience of the council by saying that while “a leap forward” had been expected, there soon came a “process of decline” . This “process of decline” as identified by the then Cardinal Ratzinger, has become self evident in all spheres of the Church most especially in her liturgy. The Liturgy is the life of the Church, the centre point around which everything draws its nourishment.
Thus, one can after a short time of observation, conclude that there exists a vast divide between the pre-concilliar church and the post-concilliar church, the crisis itself is made evident in the statistics which themselves tell of a decline in the church in a manner not seen before. The term Apostasy, seems befitting as a means of identifying the current crisis. Obviously, such a comment is not in any sense a generalisation; however the fact remains that a vast majority of the Catholic world has lost the faith. It seems as if, were it not for the second group of Catholics mentioned previously, the Church would have found herself today in an unconceivable condition.
Thus, with the restoration of the Tridentine Mass, to its full rights within the Church, it is hoped that the current crisis might in some way begin to be counteracted. As, certain high ranking members of the traditionalist movement have pointed out, that the crisis of faith within the church will not be solved “over night”, so to speak. Rather, it will take a few generations from here until we see the restoration of the faith. The Tridentine mass itself, cannot exist without sound catholic doctrine, this is a fact and understandably so in that the Mass itself is an expression of that same doctrine. The Purpose of the Mass since the time of its codification at the Council of Trent by Pope St. Pius V was to defend and ossify catholic doctrine from the errors of Protestantism.
Thus the same holds true for the errors which are abound today within the bride of Christ. The errors condemned time and time again by the Holy Pontiffs up to and including the last prince of God, Venerable Pope Pius XII. Doctrinal errors of the faith have to be corrected before any advancement is made toward the eventual triumph of the Immaculate heart.
2. The Tridentine Latin Mass The Missal of Bl. Pope John XXIII 1962
Taking the above into account, it goes without question to understand why the Mass according to the Missal of Bl. Pope John XXIII (St. Pius V), was deemed “the most beautiful thing this side of heaven”. This Mass, the eternal Mass, has a certain ‘staying power’; by this one intends to insinuate that the Mass of Pius V would have been soon forgotten as a distant memory if its benefits and the graces it provides were absent, however this is obviously not the case. Even today almost forty years since the introduction of the Novus Ordo Missae, the Tridentine Latin Mass still is able to have a far reaching effect on those who, like myself, were not privileged enough to have been raised with this Mass and the Sacraments. It has sustained the church for over five centuries, nourished the souls of all the faithful and raised up numerous amounts of sainted individuals.
Those who after the reforms of 1969, chose rather to adhere to this venerable liturgy, have grown from strength to strength with regard to maintaining the Catholic faith as it was and ever shall be. The reinstating of the Tridentine Latin Mass to its full rights therfore is the first step in the battle to the re-establishing the doctrinal integrity of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, for undoubtedly a necessary prerequisite for the Tridentine Latin Mass is true Catholic doctrine .
One thus begins to question, what then is the doctrine of Holy Mother Church which the Mass so requires?
Firstly, the Missal of 1962 and the Missal of 1969 are vastly different in comparison, in terms of the doctrinal discrepancies which abound in the latter. Cardinals Ottiavani and Bacci, in their capacity as Princes of the Church, submitted a document to Pope Paul VI concerning this particular subject, in which they detailed how the New Mass was a “departure from the traditional doctrine of the Catholic Church”
( to be continued - I invite any readers to make a comment on the above)
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