Removed Microsoft line endings from TLM post.
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<p>The most beautiful and reverent form I have seen of practicing the
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Liturgy in the Latin Rite has without a doubt been the Traditional Latin
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Mass (a.k.a. Tridentine Mass, Gregorian Mass, or Extraordinary Form).
|
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It's a form that has caught my interest since knowing of its existence.
|
||||
A form that characterizes a truly Catholic Mass, which is the heart of
|
||||
the Church.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Unfortunately, it would seem that this form has been substantially
|
||||
undervalued since the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council and
|
||||
implementation of the Novus Ordo Mass, despite the significant
|
||||
importance it has to the Catholic identity. Many simply brush it off as
|
||||
something that is <i>antiquated</i>. But the Tridentine Mass still has
|
||||
much to show us, and is still essential to the Catholic identity. As
|
||||
such, I offer a few points as to why it should be preserved and
|
||||
promoted.</p>
|
||||
|
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<h3>Latin</h3>
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|
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<p>The first retort one often encounters with regards to the Traditional
|
||||
Latin Mass is that it's in Latin. People say that they cannot understand
|
||||
what is being said in the Mass - despite normally having a missal with
|
||||
both the Latin and the Vernacular. With regards to the language, it is
|
||||
first important to note the importance of Latin in the Roman Catholic
|
||||
Church, and second, to realize that the responses are not the central
|
||||
part of the Mass, like in Novus Ordo.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Latin is important, being the language of the Church. The Church's
|
||||
official documents are written in Latin. The version of the Bible
|
||||
endorsed by the Church, the Vulgate, which is approved to be free of all
|
||||
errors on issues of Faith & Morals is in Latin. It's also the
|
||||
language the Mass has been celebrated in for hundreds of years. But
|
||||
perhaps more than all of these, it is that Christ designated that the
|
||||
Church should be Roman, as can be deduced from relating the dubbing of
|
||||
Simon as Peter in Matthew 16:18, and the prophesy from the Old Testament
|
||||
of Daniel 2:29-45.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>However, when accustomed to the Novus Ordo Mass, one may feel
|
||||
overwhelmed with so much Latin; trying fervently to keep up the pace
|
||||
with the responses. But the Latin Mass is truly something that one
|
||||
should study at home, and not spend the entire Mass reading from the
|
||||
missal. Instead, study the Mass at home at your own leisure, and during
|
||||
the Mass take the time to take in what is happening around you; to
|
||||
observe the beauty of the Divine Liturgy.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h3>Ad Orientem</h3>
|
||||
|
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<p>As opposed to the Ordinary Form where the priest faces towards the
|
||||
congregation (a.k.a. <i>ad populum</i>), in the Extraordinary Form the
|
||||
priest faces towards the Altar with the congregation (a.k.a. <i>ad
|
||||
orientum</i>). When I hear <i>ad orientem</i> come up as supposed issue
|
||||
of the Tridentine Mass, it's typically a point of questioning what the
|
||||
Mass is for. In reality, it is not necessary for the priest to face the
|
||||
congregation because the purpose of the Mass is not the priest, but
|
||||
Christ. We don't go to Mass for the priest, but for Christ, who is in
|
||||
the Altar and in the Eucharist. In a Mass that is <i>ad orientem</i>
|
||||
everyone faces towards the Lord, and everyone bows before the Lord like
|
||||
a court before their King. It demonstrates that we are all below Him, we
|
||||
are all His subjects.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h3>Communion on the Tongue</h3>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Although this isn't something specific to the Tridentine Mass, it is
|
||||
something that is obligatory, while in the Novus Ordo Mass it has turned
|
||||
into something optional and (depending on the priest) encouraged or
|
||||
discouraged. The most important aspect of the Catholic Mass is the
|
||||
Eucharist. The partaking of the Pascal Sacrifice. The eating of the Body
|
||||
of Christ for our salvation.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Unfortunately, there has been a lack of respect for the holiest of
|
||||
Sacraments in recent decades. Ever more, people are beginning to believe
|
||||
it is something purely symbolic instead of the true Body and Blood of
|
||||
Christ. It should come to no surprise then, that Communion in the hand,
|
||||
and especially in some of the more liberalized of Masses, can and has
|
||||
lead to the abuse of this Sacrament.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>To start, why is it so important to take Communion on the tongue (and
|
||||
on one's knees)? To put it simply: it shows the due respect not only to
|
||||
the Lord, but to others. Imagine someone who knows nothing of
|
||||
Catholicism, or of the Mass, and their only exposure is two people
|
||||
taking Communion. One goes up to the priest, cups their hands, and
|
||||
receives a Host, while the other goes up to the priest, gets on their
|
||||
knees, and opens their mouth so that the priest may properly and
|
||||
carefully place the Host on their tongue. To this person, the first case
|
||||
would seem to be nothing more than a priest handing out wafers, while
|
||||
the second begs the curiosity of the observer to ponder why so much
|
||||
reverence for what appears to be nothing more than bread. In this sense,
|
||||
it could be said that Communion in the hand is potentially
|
||||
scandalous.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>However, it is not only the potential scandal that could be caused,
|
||||
but also an issue of the abuses that can and do occur, which can only
|
||||
exist because of Communion in the hand. While the priest has gone
|
||||
through seminary and has (hopefully) received the formation necessary to
|
||||
fully understand and handle the Eucharist, we (the laity) have not. As
|
||||
such, it is much more likely that one of the laity will not take
|
||||
Communion seriously, and commit an abuse than a priest. Abuses such as
|
||||
letting particles drop to the floor. This problem is even worse in the
|
||||
more liberalized Masses that have their congregation take Communion in
|
||||
the pews, potentially allowing for one of the lay people to pocket the
|
||||
Host and take it home with them, potentially committing some other
|
||||
obscenity.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Even going beyond what would be an intentional mistreatment of the
|
||||
Eucharist, it also gives way to all kinds of accidental abuses. Such
|
||||
would be the case, for example, of an elderly person who, unable to keep
|
||||
their hands steady, accidentally drops the Host or particles of it while
|
||||
trying to take Communion.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>All this is avoided by simply enforcing Communion on the tongue. Just
|
||||
as it has been practiced for hundreds of years.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h3>Respect for Authority</h3>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Something very noticeable about the Novus Ordo Mass as compared to
|
||||
the Tridentine Mass is the participation of the laity in activities
|
||||
which used to belong to the priest. More specifically: readings and
|
||||
handing out Communion (to which the arguments stated above apply all the
|
||||
more). This is the effect of a modern mentality whereby we wish to
|
||||
eradicate all remaining notions of hierarchy and authority, or any kind
|
||||
of differentiation between us; in this case specifically, the difference
|
||||
between the priest and the laity.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Perhaps it's an effect of the current liberal culture than it is of
|
||||
these changes themselves to the Liturgy, but ultimately the changes sure
|
||||
do not help. When it comes to issues of Faith & Morals, it is
|
||||
precisely the priest (as an ordained member of the Church) who is to
|
||||
guide the laity, not for the laity to guide themselves. It is important,
|
||||
then, for the laity to view the priest as a figure of authority within
|
||||
their community whom they must respect on matters pertaining to the
|
||||
Faith. This is diminished when foreground roles are relegated to the
|
||||
laity. It is one thing for there to be a deacon or altar boy who aids
|
||||
the priest in his celebration of the Mass, but it is another thing
|
||||
entirely for the laity to take the foreground. It creates a false sense
|
||||
of equality of the laity and the presbyterate.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h3>Authentic Catholic Identity</h3>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>The Tridentine Mass is a form that has been a part of celebrating the
|
||||
Divine Liturgy that has been a part of the Catholic identity for
|
||||
hundreds of years - albeit with some minor modifications, the most
|
||||
actual of which is the modifications by Pope John XXIII, which are
|
||||
celebrated today as the Extraordinary Form. It is something inherently
|
||||
Catholic that distinguishes it from any other church - save now for
|
||||
Sedevacantists, which are the result of the changes from the Second
|
||||
Vatican Council, the change in the Mass being one of them. Meanwhile,
|
||||
the Novus Ordo Mass was explicitly designed to resemble Protestant
|
||||
services. It should therefore come to no surprise that many Catholics
|
||||
who attend to the Novus Ordo Mass
|
||||
<a href="https://liturgyguy.com/2019/02/24/national-survey-results-what-we-learned-about-latin-mass-attendees/"
|
||||
target="_blank" >reject Catholic teaching</a>.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h3>Silence</h3>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>The Novus Ordo Mass is filled with a back-and-forth dynamic between
|
||||
the priest and the congregation. Moments between these responses are
|
||||
often filled with lyrical music to distract the congregation - in other
|
||||
words, filler music so the congregation doesn't get bored. But what is
|
||||
typically lacking throughout all of this is time to be absolutely
|
||||
silent, to contemplate, to meditate, and to pray. As a bit of a
|
||||
side-note, the same thing occurs with adoration in parishes that
|
||||
typically do Novus Ordo Mass. Silence becomes a rare blessing.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>In the Tridentine Mass, silence is extremely important. There are
|
||||
many parts of the Divine Liturgy where the priest is quiet, most
|
||||
noticeably during the consecration. This is a beautiful time during the
|
||||
Mass, when one is on one's knees, to pray and to meditate on the miracle
|
||||
that is occurring before their eyes: the bread and wine is turning into
|
||||
the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. A solemn and reverent silence.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h3>Centrality of Christ</h3>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>But more important than all of this - and what I've been somewhat
|
||||
alluding to with many of these points - is the centrality of Christ in
|
||||
the Tridentine Mass.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>As I've pointed out before, the Novus Ordo Mass continuously
|
||||
distracts the attention of the congregation from Christ who is in the
|
||||
Altar and in the Eucharist. Whether it be celebrating <i>ad populum</i>,
|
||||
filler music to cover the silence, or a collective taking of the
|
||||
Eucharist (as is done in some Novus Ordo Masses), the common trait is
|
||||
Christ is moved to the background.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>In the Tridentine Mass, Christ is always the center, and He is always
|
||||
treated with utmost respect. Because the we go to Mass for Him, and for
|
||||
Him alone.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>If you are interested in attending a Traditional Latin Mass, you can
|
||||
see if there is one near you in the
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<a href="https://www.latinmassdir.org/" target="_blank" >
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Latin Mass Directory</a>. If you cannot find one, ask your priest.
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And remember, the Tridentine Mass
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||||
<a href="http://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/motu_proprio/documents/hf_ben-xvi_motu-proprio_20070707_summorum-pontificum.html"
|
||||
target="_blank" >is a right of the faithful</a>.</p>
|
||||
<p>The most beautiful and reverent form I have seen of practicing the
|
||||
Liturgy in the Latin Rite has without a doubt been the Traditional Latin
|
||||
Mass (a.k.a. Tridentine Mass, Gregorian Mass, or Extraordinary Form).
|
||||
It's a form that has caught my interest since knowing of its existence.
|
||||
A form that characterizes a truly Catholic Mass, which is the heart of
|
||||
the Church.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Unfortunately, it would seem that this form has been substantially
|
||||
undervalued since the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council and
|
||||
implementation of the Novus Ordo Mass, despite the significant
|
||||
importance it has to the Catholic identity. Many simply brush it off as
|
||||
something that is <i>antiquated</i>. But the Tridentine Mass still has
|
||||
much to show us, and is still essential to the Catholic identity. As
|
||||
such, I offer a few points as to why it should be preserved and
|
||||
promoted.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h3>Latin</h3>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>The first retort one often encounters with regards to the Traditional
|
||||
Latin Mass is that it's in Latin. People say that they cannot understand
|
||||
what is being said in the Mass - despite normally having a missal with
|
||||
both the Latin and the Vernacular. With regards to the language, it is
|
||||
first important to note the importance of Latin in the Roman Catholic
|
||||
Church, and second, to realize that the responses are not the central
|
||||
part of the Mass, like in Novus Ordo.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Latin is important, being the language of the Church. The Church's
|
||||
official documents are written in Latin. The version of the Bible
|
||||
endorsed by the Church, the Vulgate, which is approved to be free of all
|
||||
errors on issues of Faith & Morals is in Latin. It's also the
|
||||
language the Mass has been celebrated in for hundreds of years. But
|
||||
perhaps more than all of these, it is that Christ designated that the
|
||||
Church should be Roman, as can be deduced from relating the dubbing of
|
||||
Simon as Peter in Matthew 16:18, and the prophesy from the Old Testament
|
||||
of Daniel 2:29-45.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>However, when accustomed to the Novus Ordo Mass, one may feel
|
||||
overwhelmed with so much Latin; trying fervently to keep up the pace
|
||||
with the responses. But the Latin Mass is truly something that one
|
||||
should study at home, and not spend the entire Mass reading from the
|
||||
missal. Instead, study the Mass at home at your own leisure, and during
|
||||
the Mass take the time to take in what is happening around you; to
|
||||
observe the beauty of the Divine Liturgy.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h3>Ad Orientem</h3>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>As opposed to the Ordinary Form where the priest faces towards the
|
||||
congregation (a.k.a. <i>ad populum</i>), in the Extraordinary Form the
|
||||
priest faces towards the Altar with the congregation (a.k.a. <i>ad
|
||||
orientum</i>). When I hear <i>ad orientem</i> come up as supposed issue
|
||||
of the Tridentine Mass, it's typically a point of questioning what the
|
||||
Mass is for. In reality, it is not necessary for the priest to face the
|
||||
congregation because the purpose of the Mass is not the priest, but
|
||||
Christ. We don't go to Mass for the priest, but for Christ, who is in
|
||||
the Altar and in the Eucharist. In a Mass that is <i>ad orientem</i>
|
||||
everyone faces towards the Lord, and everyone bows before the Lord like
|
||||
a court before their King. It demonstrates that we are all below Him, we
|
||||
are all His subjects.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h3>Communion on the Tongue</h3>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Although this isn't something specific to the Tridentine Mass, it is
|
||||
something that is obligatory, while in the Novus Ordo Mass it has turned
|
||||
into something optional and (depending on the priest) encouraged or
|
||||
discouraged. The most important aspect of the Catholic Mass is the
|
||||
Eucharist. The partaking of the Pascal Sacrifice. The eating of the Body
|
||||
of Christ for our salvation.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Unfortunately, there has been a lack of respect for the holiest of
|
||||
Sacraments in recent decades. Ever more, people are beginning to believe
|
||||
it is something purely symbolic instead of the true Body and Blood of
|
||||
Christ. It should come to no surprise then, that Communion in the hand,
|
||||
and especially in some of the more liberalized of Masses, can and has
|
||||
lead to the abuse of this Sacrament.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>To start, why is it so important to take Communion on the tongue (and
|
||||
on one's knees)? To put it simply: it shows the due respect not only to
|
||||
the Lord, but to others. Imagine someone who knows nothing of
|
||||
Catholicism, or of the Mass, and their only exposure is two people
|
||||
taking Communion. One goes up to the priest, cups their hands, and
|
||||
receives a Host, while the other goes up to the priest, gets on their
|
||||
knees, and opens their mouth so that the priest may properly and
|
||||
carefully place the Host on their tongue. To this person, the first case
|
||||
would seem to be nothing more than a priest handing out wafers, while
|
||||
the second begs the curiosity of the observer to ponder why so much
|
||||
reverence for what appears to be nothing more than bread. In this sense,
|
||||
it could be said that Communion in the hand is potentially
|
||||
scandalous.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>However, it is not only the potential scandal that could be caused,
|
||||
but also an issue of the abuses that can and do occur, which can only
|
||||
exist because of Communion in the hand. While the priest has gone
|
||||
through seminary and has (hopefully) received the formation necessary to
|
||||
fully understand and handle the Eucharist, we (the laity) have not. As
|
||||
such, it is much more likely that one of the laity will not take
|
||||
Communion seriously, and commit an abuse than a priest. Abuses such as
|
||||
letting particles drop to the floor. This problem is even worse in the
|
||||
more liberalized Masses that have their congregation take Communion in
|
||||
the pews, potentially allowing for one of the lay people to pocket the
|
||||
Host and take it home with them, potentially committing some other
|
||||
obscenity.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Even going beyond what would be an intentional mistreatment of the
|
||||
Eucharist, it also gives way to all kinds of accidental abuses. Such
|
||||
would be the case, for example, of an elderly person who, unable to keep
|
||||
their hands steady, accidentally drops the Host or particles of it while
|
||||
trying to take Communion.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>All this is avoided by simply enforcing Communion on the tongue. Just
|
||||
as it has been practiced for hundreds of years.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h3>Respect for Authority</h3>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Something very noticeable about the Novus Ordo Mass as compared to
|
||||
the Tridentine Mass is the participation of the laity in activities
|
||||
which used to belong to the priest. More specifically: readings and
|
||||
handing out Communion (to which the arguments stated above apply all the
|
||||
more). This is the effect of a modern mentality whereby we wish to
|
||||
eradicate all remaining notions of hierarchy and authority, or any kind
|
||||
of differentiation between us; in this case specifically, the difference
|
||||
between the priest and the laity.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>Perhaps it's an effect of the current liberal culture than it is of
|
||||
these changes themselves to the Liturgy, but ultimately the changes sure
|
||||
do not help. When it comes to issues of Faith & Morals, it is
|
||||
precisely the priest (as an ordained member of the Church) who is to
|
||||
guide the laity, not for the laity to guide themselves. It is important,
|
||||
then, for the laity to view the priest as a figure of authority within
|
||||
their community whom they must respect on matters pertaining to the
|
||||
Faith. This is diminished when foreground roles are relegated to the
|
||||
laity. It is one thing for there to be a deacon or altar boy who aids
|
||||
the priest in his celebration of the Mass, but it is another thing
|
||||
entirely for the laity to take the foreground. It creates a false sense
|
||||
of equality of the laity and the presbyterate.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h3>Authentic Catholic Identity</h3>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>The Tridentine Mass is a form that has been a part of celebrating the
|
||||
Divine Liturgy that has been a part of the Catholic identity for
|
||||
hundreds of years - albeit with some minor modifications, the most
|
||||
actual of which is the modifications by Pope John XXIII, which are
|
||||
celebrated today as the Extraordinary Form. It is something inherently
|
||||
Catholic that distinguishes it from any other church - save now for
|
||||
Sedevacantists, which are the result of the changes from the Second
|
||||
Vatican Council, the change in the Mass being one of them. Meanwhile,
|
||||
the Novus Ordo Mass was explicitly designed to resemble Protestant
|
||||
services. It should therefore come to no surprise that many Catholics
|
||||
who attend to the Novus Ordo Mass
|
||||
<a href="https://liturgyguy.com/2019/02/24/national-survey-results-what-we-learned-about-latin-mass-attendees/"
|
||||
target="_blank" >reject Catholic teaching</a>.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h3>Silence</h3>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>The Novus Ordo Mass is filled with a back-and-forth dynamic between
|
||||
the priest and the congregation. Moments between these responses are
|
||||
often filled with lyrical music to distract the congregation - in other
|
||||
words, filler music so the congregation doesn't get bored. But what is
|
||||
typically lacking throughout all of this is time to be absolutely
|
||||
silent, to contemplate, to meditate, and to pray. As a bit of a
|
||||
side-note, the same thing occurs with adoration in parishes that
|
||||
typically do Novus Ordo Mass. Silence becomes a rare blessing.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>In the Tridentine Mass, silence is extremely important. There are
|
||||
many parts of the Divine Liturgy where the priest is quiet, most
|
||||
noticeably during the consecration. This is a beautiful time during the
|
||||
Mass, when one is on one's knees, to pray and to meditate on the miracle
|
||||
that is occurring before their eyes: the bread and wine is turning into
|
||||
the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. A solemn and reverent silence.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<h3>Centrality of Christ</h3>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>But more important than all of this - and what I've been somewhat
|
||||
alluding to with many of these points - is the centrality of Christ in
|
||||
the Tridentine Mass.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>As I've pointed out before, the Novus Ordo Mass continuously
|
||||
distracts the attention of the congregation from Christ who is in the
|
||||
Altar and in the Eucharist. Whether it be celebrating <i>ad populum</i>,
|
||||
filler music to cover the silence, or a collective taking of the
|
||||
Eucharist (as is done in some Novus Ordo Masses), the common trait is
|
||||
Christ is moved to the background.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>In the Tridentine Mass, Christ is always the center, and He is always
|
||||
treated with utmost respect. Because the we go to Mass for Him, and for
|
||||
Him alone.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
<p>If you are interested in attending a Traditional Latin Mass, you can
|
||||
see if there is one near you in the
|
||||
<a href="https://www.latinmassdir.org/" target="_blank" >
|
||||
Latin Mass Directory</a>. If you cannot find one, ask your priest.
|
||||
And remember, the Tridentine Mass
|
||||
<a href="http://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/motu_proprio/documents/hf_ben-xvi_motu-proprio_20070707_summorum-pontificum.html"
|
||||
target="_blank" >is a right of the faithful</a>.</p>
|
||||
|
||||
|
||||
Loading…
Reference in New Issue
Block a user