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.
- -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 antiquated. 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.
- -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.
- -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.
- -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.
- -As opposed to the Ordinary Form where the priest faces towards the -congregation (a.k.a. ad populum), in the Extraordinary Form the -priest faces towards the Altar with the congregation (a.k.a. ad -orientum). When I hear ad orientem 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 ad orientem -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.
- -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.
- -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.
- -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.
- -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.
- -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.
- -All this is avoided by simply enforcing Communion on the tongue. Just -as it has been practiced for hundreds of years.
- -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.
- -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.
- -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 -reject Catholic teaching.
- -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.
- -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.
- -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.
- -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 ad populum, -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.
- -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.
- -If you are interested in attending a Traditional Latin Mass, you can -see if there is one near you in the - - Latin Mass Directory. If you cannot find one, ask your priest. -And remember, the Tridentine Mass -is a right of the faithful.
+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.
+ +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 antiquated. 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.
+ +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.
+ +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.
+ +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.
+ +As opposed to the Ordinary Form where the priest faces towards the +congregation (a.k.a. ad populum), in the Extraordinary Form the +priest faces towards the Altar with the congregation (a.k.a. ad +orientum). When I hear ad orientem 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 ad orientem +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.
+ +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.
+ +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.
+ +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.
+ +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.
+ +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.
+ +All this is avoided by simply enforcing Communion on the tongue. Just +as it has been practiced for hundreds of years.
+ +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.
+ +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.
+ +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 +reject Catholic teaching.
+ +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.
+ +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.
+ +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.
+ +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 ad populum, +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.
+ +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.
+ +If you are interested in attending a Traditional Latin Mass, you can +see if there is one near you in the + + Latin Mass Directory. If you cannot find one, ask your priest. +And remember, the Tridentine Mass +is a right of the faithful.