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| Elevation during the (Tridentine) "Extraordinary Form" of the Roman Rite |
(Catholic Culture) - The Instruction issued this week, underlining Pope Benedict’s desire for wider use of the “extraordinary form” of the Mass, is part of the Pontiff’s overall plan for a liturgical “reform of the reform,” according to one top Vatican official.This "newly formed liturgy" does not necessarily imply an extinction of the Tridentine mass as we know it. Rumors have been circulating in Rome for years now that an entirely new Roman Missal is in the works, and some claim to have seen a prototype of it. If indeed such a prototype does exist, it is more likely a working model for development, and not anything that will be released anytime in the near future. The existence of "two forms" of the Roman Rite, both ordinary and extraordinary, is an odd development in the history of the Catholic Church. It is the result of what Pope Benedict XVI referred to as the "hermeneutic of rupture" following the misinterpretations and misapplications of the Second Vatican Council. By bringing the Tridentine liturgy back to the forefront of the Church as the "extraordinary form" of the Roman right, the pope hopes to reintroduce a "hermeneutic of continuity" back into the mainstream Church. By allowing the "ordinary form" and "extraordinary form" to exist side-by-side for a set period of time, the Holy Father hopes to allow a natural and organic development of tradition to unfold, drawing the two forms closer together in practice, as priests learn to celebrate the ordinary form with more extraordinary reverence. This coupled with better vernacular translations and liturgical guidance from the Vatican, will in a relatively short time revive the historical tradition of the Roman Catholic ethos.
Cardinal Kurt Koch, the new president of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, said that the Pope hopes for the eventual development of a newly reformed liturgy, combining elements of both the traditional Latin Mass and the Novus Ordo liturgy...
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The idea here is that a time will come, someday in the not-too-distant future (perhaps in another 8 to 16 years) when the separation of the two forms will no longer be necessary. A new missal will be released, which will essentially be Tridentine in nature, but with an expanded lectionary, tightening the rubrics for the Liturgy of the Eucharist in comparison to today's Novus Ordo, and loosening the rubrics for the Liturgy of the Word in comparison to today's Tridentine mass. Thus the Liturgy of the Eucharist would be set in stone, thoroughly Tridentine in nature, while the Liturgy of the Word would have some flexibility. Priests who want to make their celebration as traditional as possible will be able to do so easily, and exclusively in Latin if they prefer. While priests who want to make their celebration a bit more contemporary will also do so easily, likely using the vernacular translations. The Liturgy of the Eucharist would remain constant for all priests, regardless of their persuasion, and the canon of the mass (the consecration itself) will likely be said exclusively in Latin, regardless of the vernacular translation being used for the rest of the liturgy. This is what the 'Knight' has heard will be the framework of a future Missal for the Roman Rite.
Meanwhile the pope has made it clear that the Anglican ordinariates are to develop their own exclusive liturgy which will be based loosely on 'Rite One' from the Book of Divine Worship. This new liturgy will be used throughout ALL the Anglican ordinariates, without exception, not excluding the two forms of the Roman Rite which may be celebrated as well. Elements from the Sarum Use will likely be introduced to this Anglican ordinariate liturgy as well as some very "Tridentine-like" rubrics. In time, it is possible this will become a very popular liturgy for the English-speaking people throughout the world.
The Novus Ordo mass, as we know it today, has been slated for extinction. The horrid English translation of the Novus Ordo mass will expire later this year. The liturgical abuses and innovations that followed it, will likewise be dealt with one by one in the coming years. The clergy that gave us the Novus Ordo culture and the "hermeneutic of rupture" are likewise slated for retirement in the years ahead. The new seminarians coming out now are far more traditional and orthodox in nature. A fundamental paradigm shift has just occurred with the release of Summorum Pontificum (2007), Universae Ecclesiae (2011) and Anglicanorum Coetibus (2009). It's a paradigm shift that is unstoppable now, but won't be realized in it's fullness for at least a decade. By then the Catholic Church will have been so radically transformed from what it is today that it will be barely recognizable to the modern Catholic, but strikingly familiar to the ancient Catholic.
What becomes of the Novus Ordo mass, and poor vernacular translations, we are all so painfully familiar with today? They will live on of course, just no longer in the Catholic Church. They will become the designated liturgy for wannabe-catholic Protestant denominations and schismatic-liberal Catholic sects that left full-communion with the Church in rebellion over women's ordination and other heretical notions.
24 comments; post here:
WOOOOOO!!!!!! Too bad I am going to miss lecotring, but still WOOOOO!!!!!!
Alleluia!!
Sir Knight, this sounds good theoretically. My concern with any possible "blending" of the two forms is that the worst parts of the novus ordo will somehow creep into the traditional rite. I have grave misguvings about how this will play out. For example:
1) what happens to the "charismtaic" renewal Masses, are they likely to roll over and "be assimilated" like the Borg on star trek?
2) what happens to altar girls? will they be allowed/not allowed in this blended mass? same with extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion (female mostly)? Schism is much more likely to happen
3) will the "Father Sinatras" among us go along or continue to ad lib?
4) what enforcement mechanism will be in play here?
5) will we revert to just ONE eucharistic prayer or ten? No Mr Knight, I'm afraid I cant see this happening. My own preference would simply be to trash the NO completely and go back to the 62 as the ONE AND ONLY rite of mass in the Latin church. 100% in Latin except for the scripture readings, limited to the epistle and gospel. While you are correct that the current NO is heading for the circular file, I am concerned about any kind of mixing of the two forms.
Can't happen soon enough!
Pete,
This is one reason why the pope is allowing the OF and EF to exist side-by-side for now. It serves two purposes. First, to keep the EF pure of Modernist influences. Second, to allow them both to grow together in continuity as the OF gradually takes on the shape and form of the EF.
My understanding is that the pope hates innovation. He absolutely abhors "making things up." Any attempt to merge the OF and EF at this juncture in history would create exactly what you're talking about -- an improvised mess -- and the Holy Father is aware of that. That's why the two forms will remain separate for this epic in history. One more thing, the time frame I gave above is extremely optimistic. It could take as long as 20 to 30 years before the Renewed Roman Missal comes out.
Remember, this pope has confirmed that the EF mass is the "mass of the ages," and can never be revoked. So you need not worry about that with the upcoming Renewed Roman Missal. The EF, as we know it, will be in there -- guaranteed. Furthermore, in allowing the two to grow side-by-side it is obviously the OF that must change to conform to the EF and not vice versa.
Now as for that theoretical Renewed Roman Missal, whenever that comes out, my understanding is the rubrics will be designed in such a way that depending on the priest's discretion, the mass can be celebrated identically to how the EF mass is celebrated today with virtually no changes. However, in the Liturgy of the Word (Mass of Catechumens) section, the rubrics will be more flexible, so if a priest wants to do something in a more contemporary way he can.
I think the idea here is to design a Renewed Roman Missal that will be stringent enough to satisfy anyone partial to the EF, and yet flexible enough to accommodate those still accustomed to the OF. It all depends on the priest, and how he wants to do things.
For example, an FSSP priest would simply do everything in Latin, and stick to the most traditional way of fulfilling the rubrics. While a local diocesan priest might loosen things up a bit in the Liturgy of the Word (Mass of the Catechumens).
What will have been totally eliminated by then are all the abuses and innovations we are so accustomed to today.
There is no mistake about it Pete. The Novus Ordo mass we've been doing for the last forty years has just been read a death sentence. The date for it's actual execution has yet to be announced.
Dear Catholic Knight,
This framework is almost identical to that which has always been in place within the Eastern Rite communities. Our version of the liturgy, for want of a better term, has always been in Arabic with Aramaeic at key points throughout the celebration of the mass. Even in the English translation (to acommodate poor saps such as myself who have no Arabic heritage), who have converted into the Eastern rite, the Aramaeic has been retained in full, the equivalent of 'Chant' has been maintained (though softened with gentle organ accompaniment for Western ears not accustomed to Eastern chant), the service is very reverent and Eucharist handled beautifully. We can kneel if we want to without hostile reception from either priest or fellow paritioners when receiving communion, we've got the confessionals still in place and confession is offered prior to the Eucharist...Please pray that when the church is renovated later this year, they do not rip out the beautiful statuary and furnishings, that a traditional, design in continuity with what has always been would be decided upon. When I attend Western Rite services occasionally, I find them 'malnourished' and hollow in comparison to our Eastern Rite services...Sounds like the West is finally catching up with where we have always been :-) Re the Arabic question, adult classes are held and those of us who do not speak it are encouraged to attend. The non English Marounite mass is extraordinarily beautiful and if anybody here has a chance to go, you will be overwhelmed in mind, body and spirit!
I pray ernestly that the mighty work undertaken by B16 continues, and is built upon even more solidly by his eventual successor. may the distructive builder, war baby and boomer liberal disgrace that has held the Western rite hostage for nearly fifty years finally blow away as chaff on the wind, consigned to a footnote in history such as the controversies of the late 14th, early 15th centuries have been; if the Church can survive intact after that, She will survive what has gone on (and continues to go on) in our lifetime. Not long to wait now, dear brothers and sisters, change has started, the clean up crew are making headway and Christ's church shall be set aright once more.
This is magnificent news!
Blessings,
Sarah.
Dear Catholic Knight,
"...One more thing, the time frame I gave above is extremely optimistic. It could take as long as 20 to 30 years before the Renewed Roman Missal comes out.
Indeed, Sir Knight, I find it no co-incidence that this estimate corresponds with the timeframe necessary for the passing of the Boomer generation (the forefront of the builder generation are already going to meet their maker). Until the last of the boomers have gone, and take their scourge of liberalism with them (with all due respect to upright, devout Builders, War Babies and Boomers who may read this blog) B16's current strategy will needs suffice. Let us pray that his successors continue, by the grace of God and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, this corrageous and sorely needed work. In the generations to come, B16 may well be as beloved of the people and admired for his faithfulness to Catholic Christian orthodoxy as the mighty Peius X and equally corrageous Pius XII.
Blessings,
Sarah,
Australia.
..."
Hey I just thought of something. This is only going to work if the Next pope continues the line of thought of JPII and B16. If the next pope doesn't this resurrection will be short lived.
The changing of the guard at the Vatican is something Catholics always await with tension. Hence the reason for the large crowds in the square at St. Peter's, and the media frenzy, when the white smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel. It's sort of like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.
Now it is all together possible that a new pope could overturn everything Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI have done, but it is altogether unlikely -- extremely unlikely. In fact, if a new pope were to do anything radical at all, my guess is he would eliminate the Novus Ordo more rapidly. Of course you never know.
Still there is the hermeneutic of continuity to consider. Most pope's do follow this rule, and after the miserable failures that followed the Second Vatican Council and the Missal of Pope Paul VI, it is highly unlikely that any new pope would want to return to that. In general, popes like to build on the work of their predecessors. They generally don't like to reverse and nullify it. That's not to say it's impossible, just not the usual norm.
When it comes to something like this, there is literally nothing we can do to insure against it. This is a God thing. When it's time to elect a new pope, we commit the cardinals up in prayer, and then we wait on God. Ultimately He is the one who chooses the pope, and it is God who decides which pope is best for us. So this is where faith comes in.
Sir Knight,
This brings great joy to my heart!
It will strenghthen the Church in the long run. This will be a great renewal of the Faith.
Mark
Maybe it's time to see our first American Pope elected to carry on the work of restoration after B16 passes on... Cardinal Burke, perhaps?
Sorry to come back at you again, Mr. Knight, but there are still a few things left unsettled in my mind. Perhaps you can settle these concerns as you did above. First, how do the two forms "grow together" given the current resistance to BOTH SP and the new missal for Nov? Do you mean growing togehter as in slowly integrating, or growing side by side with little input to each other? (eg, the 10 am guitar mass followed by the noon TLM high mass, both at St. Renew's catholic worship center?) Secondly, (an admittedly unanswerable question) why has the Pope himself not (yet) celebrated in the EF? You hit the nail on the head when you said he dislikes innovation (especially fabricated ones). Sorry to be a pest Mr Knight, but this still bothers me. As I said on my FB page, LEAVE THE EF ALONE.
Can a new pope change Canon law?
The Anglican Consitution and Norms are now Canon law.
This does sound wonderful in theory, but how would this work with the shortage of priests in most parishes today? Extraordinary ministers are a necessity in many otherwise conservative parishes.
Dear Catholic Knight and Pete,
A two-fold response here, Gentlemen...
Pete,
I believe that you may well find the Eastern Rites deeply reverent, beautiful and authentically God-honouring - and a preferable alternative to much of what is going on in many Western Rite parishes. These Rites do not suffer from the priest shortage experienced in the West (and it is primarily only the West that is experiencing this phenomenon). One does not need to hale from a certain ethnic background to become involved in an Eastern Rite; indeed, they take many 'converts', plus 'sojourners' from the Western Rite for the reasons I have mentioned above. Find your local Melchite, Marounite or other Eastern Rite parish and pay them a visit. The Western Rite, if it is willing, can learn much from its Eastern Catholic sisters...
Sir Knight,
I believe that inasmuch as the East has its suite of rites in complete communion with Rome yet distinctive to their respective regions, the West might think about adopting this model also; bold? Yes. Controversial? Definitely. The 'West' is not one amorphous conglomerate, as the East is not one single entity either.
If Rites had been established prior to Trent, perhaps the entire tragedy of the Reformation could have been avoided...
Thumbnail sketch model...
Nordic rite (Scandinavian peoples)
Teutonic Rite (Germanic peoples)
Gallic Rite (the French Speaking Peoples)
English rite (Anglo sphere)
Celtic rite (the Celtic nations and Diaspora)
There are already rites that cover Eastern Europe, Russia [notwithstanding the Russian Orthodox Church being, of course, a completely different beastie] and Turkey.
Chinese Rite (the Chinese Peoples - though Tibetans and Wygr may wish to organize themselves into sub rites of their own - and their Diaspora)
SE Asian Rite (Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand)
Sub continental Rite (India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Kashmir, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan - though this last nation may more fittingly choose to ally itself with the existing rite in Iran - and yes, there is an indigenous Christian community still surviving in Iran)
Spano/Portugese rite (Spain, Portugal, Central, South America and their Diasporas)
Sub Saharan African Rites (North Africa already has several rites of its own, plus Roman Rite imports...)
Malay/Indonesian rite (Malaysia and Indonesia, with some Thai Provinces)
Oceanic Rite (the Pacific Island nations)
I can hear the protests rising already - remember, folk, there are upwards of 14 rites currently in existence and managing quite happily (despite the very real persecution many of their members are caused to endure day in, day out) in the Catholic fold who honour the magisterium and Catholic theology 100% while retaining their own unique liturgy and spirituality. It ALREADY works and I am a part of it. I do wish more Eastern Rite Catholics would become involved with this discussion. B16's Reform of the Reform will doubtlessly benefit from the treasury of wisdom that exists within the Eastern Rites. Oh, for an Eastern Rite (Middle Eastern) Pope!! Our heavenly Father of course, knows who exactly will be chosen when our current Pope finally rests in peace; look how the reform has prevailed, even in the face of almost insurmountable liberal opposition...Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, our heavenly Father will protect, further, reform, and prosper His Church; if certain individuals within the Church structure and theological community persist in making a dog's breakfast of it, He will bring to the fore those willing to heed His voice, and the hermeneutic of continuity
Blessings,
Sarah,
Australia.
While our heavely Father may know Sarah and Sir Knight, the pope still gets voted in by Cardinals -who are human beings that are faulted to lean politically liberal or traditional/conservative. We know that the Pope is surrounded by wolves including some of his own cardinals and prelates. They can still ruin it so we must valliant pray every day but moreso once we know the Pope is near death that his succesor will continue the work of JPII and B16 and not ruin things.
Dear Sarah, thank you for your kind words, and list of eastern rites. I already am quite attached to the byzantine rite, and frequent it, usually when I can't get to a TLM. You are spot on, their rites are prfound, deeply holy and ancient in their adherance to tradition. I funadmentally agree with the Knight on what he has said. But I still think there are problems ahead UNLESS the blending rules are going to be strictly enforced (no more Fr Sinatra's) I would also insist that the "charismatic masses" need to be abolished, and stop pandering to the youth culture, as though drums and loud singing of awful tunes is going to get them to Mass. Thank you again, and God bless you.
I'm Latin rite, but am so disgusted with things that I've been attending a Maronite rite church for almost a year now. (My Latin rite parish has a "Father Sinatra" who actually belts out harmony as he celebrates mass) My question is this: Why in the world didn't the Church have the sense to leave the Tridentine liturgy alone and simply translate it into the vernacular? Why did they throw out the proverbial baby with the bath water? The E.Orthodox and our own Byzantine Catholics have done that a long, long time ago and it works just fine for them. I'm heartbroken. Also, I'm very concerned that with the rampant over-use of so-called 'Eucharistic Ministers', 'altar girls' and 'teen life masses', we're going to be in for more heartbreak as a liturgical hybridizing free-for-all will become the norm. ~ Jaymes
Jaymes asked "Why in the world didn't the Church have the sense to leave the Tridentine liturgy alone and simply translate it into the vernacular?"
That is the million dollar question. The answer, I think, is a multitude of incidents that happened to coincide at once: it was the 1960s and liberalism was on the rise becoming the new secular standard; the so-called "sexual revolution" effected the Church on several levels from women's equality to actual sexuality; Latin rite bishops had an unreasonable yearning to please protestants and included thier ideas into the new mass (which is why a typical parish level OF mass looks more lutheran than Catholic or even Anglican); Freemasons also participated; not only the mass, but the English Bible translations beginning at this point in time also are infected with the same problems as the OF; radically liberal theologians like Karl Rahner, Hans Kung, and others, controlled the formation of the new priests and nuns coming into the Church at this time.
Not to sound flip, but the 1960s-70s also was a time of rampant drug use. Who knows how many of the people involved in this were also smoking pot or snorting coke on thier off hours. That's the only way to explain "clown masses" and the like (including many of the banal pop-folk-rock liturgical music that came from this era). These people were stoned.
You mention the 60's but most of the churches built after the 1940's were completely ugly and non-sacred.
Why did the church abandon its tradition of beautiful architecture as early as the 40's and 50's?
Joseph
Here it is: Human beings do not like change. Radical change can me damaging. Change will come, but it will come with the leading of our Lord and the prayers of our Blessed Mother. Some of us would like to see change happen over night. This would be damaging. The Pope is wise, and I trust his methods. I am not as eloquent as some here, but I think that reform will come sooner than later. Many have remained true to the Faith. It is the prayers of these that have brought about any change at all. I suggest showing our brothers and sisters the beauty of our traditions by introducing them into the OR.
Here are my humble suggestions:
1. Women veil. It is a beautiful tradition. We veil because we are sacred.Submit your glory to God's glory. He will bless you.
2. You choose who you take communion from.Consider taking it on the tongue as well (so many reasons for the second part).
3.If you are courageous enough kneel when receiving our Lord.
Remember all these things are your sacred right. This is calling attention to yourself, but it is positive attention. Our Lord was courageous, He calls us to do the same. If the Blessed Sacrament is present, then we should show reverence no matter which Mass we attend.
It is what I feel in my heart. I leave theology for the experts.
I don't think the Church (this includes the increasing traditional sensus fidelium of the faithful) would allow N.O. innovations incompatible to Tradition to enter the traditional Novus Ordo rite of the future. What I can foresee is that the cycle of readings will be maintained and dialogue kind of Mass participation by the laity and the 4 Eucharistic prayers. The priest may be given the option to say the canon inaudibly, but I believe most will say it audibly.
This is the first bit of news that has made me want to live to be 100 (I'm 72) - to see the change back to the Latin Mass. This next may seem irrelevant, but bear with me . . . Played the organ for my parish from age 7-14; I could repeat almost the entire Mass in Latin.In love with the mystery and beauty of 1940's and 1950's liturgy. Hard time adjusting. Currently with parish since its birth - 1982. Music minister all that time. New Mass schedule allowed me to drop out - I'm tired. Able to visit other churches for first time in over 25 years. Being in the congregation, you get a different perspective than when you're in the choir. Discovered that a lot of things we did musically (and others are doing) are not as great as I thought they were. Very seriously have been having a hard time making myself go to Sunday Mass - because of the music. It's overpowering! It's a cacaphony! Mass is nothing more than Music. Out of control. This Sunday I am going to a parish that has a Latin Mass at 8 a.m. Very excited about it.
Please, we need answer. A new pastor ordered "joint Mass", asking 4 heavy amplified rock guitars (strumming only) to play ordinary and propers of the Choral Organ MAss at Sanctuary next to pipe organ, and asked choir to eliminate 4-parts harmony, pipe organ to play simultaneously with a rock guitars in 2 keys only because band folks can not read music. He asked to add Gregorian Chant to that. After Solemnity November 20, when several choir members were suffering from rock noise, they co-incidentally (they did not plan!)did not come for the next "combined Mass".Now they are blamed for that--and some of them for 40 years in a choir.
Is it usual situation? We did not found a SINGLE video clip with such combination among millions clips on web. Is it what Pope Benedictus provides now?
Thank you.
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