THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: The countdown is over, the new English mass is here!!! By now the last mass of the old "defective" English translation has been said in the United States, and it is permenantly suppressed -- gone forever! Tomorrow morning, we awake for mass with the new English translation, a better translation, one more faithful to the original Latin text. For the FIRST TIME in the United States, the Ordinary Form (Novus Ordo) mass will be said in English PROPERLY, according to how it was intended to be said, way back when it was first released in 1970. For the FIRST TIME EVER, Catholic Americans will hear the REAL WORDS of the mass -- properly translated. An entire generation has passed -- literally -- and for the FIRST TIME EVER the post-conciliar youth (everyone under the age of 45) will hear the English mass as it was intended to be heard. This is an historic day indeed. Enjoy it!
I cannot begin to stress enough the momentous occasion this is. It marks the beginning. By that I mean the beginning of the end for bland Modernist innovation. I also mean the beginning of the beginning for the restoration of tradition. Yes, it's going to be a long road to reform ahead, but from now on we will see nothing but progress toward that end, sometimes a little progress, sometimes a lot, but always progress. The Modernist experiment has failed, resulting in the loss of souls and the gutting of the Church. Those days are now beginning to die out. The new English translation of the mass is here. The U.S. Anglican ordinariate is soon coming (in just 34 days from today). The Extraordinary Form (Tridentine) mass is here to stay. The generation of the 1970s priesthood officially begins its retirement in this decade. The Vatican is to start a new commission on sacred music, art and architecture with the authority to enforce their directives. The whole Modernist house of cards is all beginning to fall. The historic Catholic Church is beginning to rise. THIS IS IT! IT HAS BEGUN !!! We will be the first to witness the reforms of Vatican II as they were originally intended!
That's not to say there won't be setbacks, scandals, and delays in the future. There will be. Overall however, the movement is in the direction of progress toward the traditional Church. As I said, the progress may be slow at times, and fast at other times, but always progress, always toward tradition.
It's over my readers! It's finally over. No the fight isn't over, but the unfair advantage is. I'm speaking of the unfair advantage the Modernists had over English-speaking parishes and dioceses, up until this evening. Now it's over. They are crippled now. What gave them the flexibility to innovate was the poor English translation of the Novus Ordo mass. That flexibility is gone now. Anything they do against the new translation, or the rubrics of the mass, will be seen as a gross violation and DISOBEDIENCE to the POPE !!! That's not to say it won't happen. (It probably will.) But their cover is blown. They no longer have anything to hide behind. It's the beginning of the end for them -- unless of course they reform their ways. If they reform, even reluctantly, than they come over to our side, and we gain new allies. Those who won't reform would do well to retire at the earliest opportunity.
From this night forward, the only place the old English translation of the mass can be heard is in a protestant or schismatic sect. My understanding is that some Protestants are quite fond of it.
The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has now given the English-speaking Church everything we need to reform ourselves. In time we will. This is inevitable. That however, doesn't mean he's finished. There is more reform coming, but I do not know when. Eventually, the Novus Ordo mass itself will be rewritten, so the second half of the liturgy will look more like the Tridentine mass, but you're guess is as good as mine as to when. For now expect big changes at your local parish unlike anything you've seen in 40 years! Slowly but surely, with relentless incrementalism, the Holy Father (Pope Benedict XVI) is turning this great ship around. This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad!!! DEO GRATIAS.
28 comments; post here:
Ha ha That was pretty funny. Just as I finished reading the song ended. It's great that this is happening, but I think it's still to early to celebrate anything yet. Still to many heretical priests who would have things their way. Still too many lay "catholics" who will argue against true catholicism. Not until the false ones have left or been excommunicated will I feel a sense of victory.
Antaine
Get thee to a TLM... quick!!!
Bittersweet. I attended the 5pm vigil mass at my parish. The new words were wonderful... but my parish's presentation left something to be desired. The priest stumbled over many of the words, as if this were the very first time he's ever read them. The female "pastoral associate" and the priest himself both stressed that the changes are only cosmetic, and urged the congregation not to be angry or upset (odd.. if I were them, I'd be celebrating this, not downplaying it so). And of course, we still have the sugar coated folk-pop liturgical music that weighed the whole celebration danerously close to mediocrity. But the biggest disappointment was that I was looking forward to the Confiteor, and saying the mea culpa. Well, we skipped right over the Confiteor and just did the Kyrie.
Slow progress, but progress nonetheless.
We can help in this restoration by politely, persuasively, but strongly confronting our parish priests and group of busy bodies that love to pretend they are almost priests, and challenge them to obey the Pope. After all, if they really don't like true Catholic ritual then they should become Episcopalians. Maybe the Episcopal Church can develop an "Insubordinariate" for all the 60's refugees that don't like Benedict XVI, differences between the genders, or historic Catholicism.
While we are on the subject, what about Society of Pius X? Are they in true schism?
remember, this was all started by JPII
Mark
CK, I worry that with so much focus on the new missile and the hype surrounding it are we really losing sight of the true meaning of the Mass ?
Having attended Mass for over 60 yrs it has never been about the missile. This is usually put aside after reading of the gospel. My focus is then on the alter . I need to completely focus and prepare my heart for his coming in the Eucharist the most important part of the Mass. We need to humble our hearts and pray and give thanks to Him.
It is this most awesome feeling that overcomes me when Jesus comes into my heart is what the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass means to me. I haven't always had the Catholic Missile while attending Mass. When I was a small child we couldn't afford to have missiles for our large family. We were taught by parents whose parents couldn't afford a Sunday Missile either. However we were taught the deepest love and respect for the Mass with tremendous focus on the Eucharist.
I welcome the New Missile, of course as I welcome the veil. I see a discussion on the buildings where we celebrate the Holy Mass and think of the stories of our fathers and grandfathers that settled for a few pieces of two by four, up to their kness in mud celebrating the Eucharist with their comrades and I sadly think does it really matter where we celebrate.
Am I just a naive soul to be so oblivious to all of these things around me in order to not lose my focus? By losing this focus would I be risking danger to my soul ?
Now having said all of that you can imagine this grandma's surprise where her grandson wanted to know if he could bring his gameboy to Midnight Mass. lol I am still trying to deal with celphones going off .
I don't understand Anonymous. Aren't missalette's free in your church? As for your point about about where you celebrate, obviously if you are in a situation where it is for some reason impossible to use a proper church then there is probably an exception to be made. However, people actually spend money to build these structures. If we can afford to build these things, then why not a true traditional church?
The reason it matters is because the more we leave behind tradition, the more we leave behind our catholic identities, thus the less catholic we become. If catholicism becomes indistinguishable from secularism (and not in the good way) then how can we expect the next generations to understand catholicism, never mind respect it and live it.
There is no reason why a traditional chapel, with traditional art and architecture, cannot be built with modern materials at a fraction of the cost. Framing can be done with steel cheaply, and the exterior walls can be easily fabricated to look traditional. The A-frame structure of a traditional chapel is far more inexpensive than the funky shapes that have become in vogue in recent decades. If stone reliefs are too costly, paint traditional icons on wood slabs. I dare say, it is not only possible, but fairly easy, to build a traditional Catholic chapel at the fraction of the cost of a modernist chapel.
"What gave them the flexibility to innovate was the poor English translation of the Novus Ordo mass. That flexibility is gone now."
How do words, no matter how inaccurately translated, give a celebrant the flexibility to innovate? Innovation is about changing the prescribed rite of Mass. You could do that with the 1970/1974 translation and can also do that with the new translation. Celebrants were/are told to "say the black; do the red" in both the old and new translations. Again, how will the new translation make this rule clearer or give it more force? What will keep celebrants who disregarded the rubrics before the new translation, now observe them?
Excellent question Blogger! What makes it different now is attention. You see, the old translation of the mass (and its typical celebration) was formed during a time of confusion - the 1970s. Subsequent innovations were built on that foundation. Unless a diocese was ruled by a very strict bishop, priests and lay leaders would come back with the excuse, "well that's how we've always done it."
Times are different now. The new translation causes everyone to pause and pay attention. Priests who are inclined to innovate do not like it and have made their views known. Thus should they innovate again, it's going to catch a lot of attention. '"Father Smith," who has already said he does not like the new translation, is back to his same old innovations again. Is this disobedience?' That's why it is essential for traditional Catholics to start getting involved in parishes now, so they can keep the pressure on. The new translation however, is just the tip of the iceberg. What accompanies this is supposed to be a more strict observance of the rubrics. Granted, it's up to the bishop to enforce those things, but again all eyes are on the liturgy of the Church right now since the new translation has gone into effect. It's harder to innovate when everyone is paying attention, and it's harder for a bishop to excuse innovation when the Vatican insists that this new translation be implemented fully and without excuse.
Then of course we have the teaching element of the mass itself. For the first time ever, the English mass is being said as it was intended to be. Over time this will certainly have a catechesis effect on the faithful and a formation effect on the clergy. Lex Orandi Lex Credendi. That in itself will reduce much innovation. A priest in our diocese, who was notorious for liturgical innovation, has just apologised for this to his congregation and promised he will never do it again. What made the difference? Was it the words of the new mass translation? Or was it the correction of our bishop? I honestly don't know, but I suspect it was something in between. This is the new environment we are faced with.
Being from New Zealand myself, we've lived with the new translation for a year now (why NZ is an early adopter of almost everything is beyond me, but that is beside the point).
I think it's worked quite well. Every Sunday we have most of the parts on the overheard screen. It does take a while to stop saying the old responses, especially if you're not thinking about it. It will still take a while before the new creed is embedded enough for me to be able to say it without printed aid.
One thing that is a bit frustrating (for me as a musician, and for the congregation), is that all the old sung responses (Lamb of God, Holy, Holy, etc) have been let go - at least in this country - because the wording has to be exactly the same as the new Mass wording. In fact, musicians here have had to submit any songs they want to do for approval to whoever is in charge of that in Auckland.
The new sung responses we have, have been written by a local fellow here, and some (if you'll pardon me saying so), are very unmusical and hard to sing, especially the Gloria - eg, just imagine trying to fit music to the Gloria without being able to alter it's wording one jot in order to make words rhyme, or musical metres match.
It is difficult, to be sure.
From UK Catholic
I do think that many of you are seeing divisions where there are none, and please do not abuse the priests in your comments. It is wholly appalling to me to see any Catholics talking ill of the older priests and calling them heretical. That is so insulting to men who have given their lives to bring you the word of God, baptise /marry/ bury you. ALL changes to the Novo Ordo were approved by Rome in the 1970s. Your “heretics” were actually being obedient to Rome. There is no need for you guys to set yourselves up as judge and jury in a new “Spanish Inquisition” based on your own rather turgid interpretation of events that happened 40 years ago (before most of you were born I’m guessing).
The recent translation changes are indeed very superficial and make the Novo Ordo more accurately reflect the original Latin in several details. However the basic Novo Ordo is as it ever was, so I don’t know what you are all getting your dander up about over there. We are not going back to the Tridentine mass – that’s now allowed as an option but Novo Ordo is the universal norm. Also women are still allowed on the altar and veiling is not compulsory so you can stop fussing about all that as well. We are not Islamic and we do exert either social or “obedience” pressure on women to veil. CK has made some suggestions about the matter that are very practical but it’s an option for women and an individual decision. We do not need an extremist bunch of Catholics over there in the USA making a fuss about every little thing every times a new pope makes a change. Calm down please!!!!!The pope does not want the kind of church that fights and fusses .He is tolerant and loves his neighbour - most especially if he is Episcopalian!!!!
As to Latin - Do please watch the pope’s visit to the UK to see what he does himself for English speaking mass. http://www.thepapalvisit.org.uk/Replay-the-Visit. The Birmingham or Glasgow mass will show you what I surmise is his advice to us. But please note that even he does not go on and on about “obedience”, and say we must do this and we must do that!? The pope offers us every option for mass that we could possibly want. He gives us an example in his Uk visit, and all you guys do is start fussing and fighting and dividing into camps over it – determined to have your own way as to what you think the mass should be......you really must stop fighting over the mass – it’s so wrong. I was raised in a church sings the Sanctus Sanctus joyfully in one voice. In my church we don’t insult and deride each other, or haul those we don’t agree with out for scourging and crucifixion. In the church I know we don’t stone women for imaginary “sins”. There are no Pharisees in the Church Our Lord and Saviour founded – just “don’t go there” over the mass – I’m so fed up of reading the nasty comments.
Dear UK Catholic, please understand The Catholic Knight tries to be tolerant of views from many different perspectives, including those who have for forty years felt victimised by the Novus Ordo culture here in the States. I'm afraid there is more here than meets the eye, and I must urge you to try to be tolerant and understand what sort of conditions would drive people to make the comments you so dispise. So you not see it? These people are victims of abuse -- abuse of liturgy, doctrine and conscience. (I'm not even talking about sexual abuse here. That's a whole different topic.). I have personally witnessed a priest here in the States tell a room full of catechumens in an RCIA program that it really doesn't matter what religion you choose, because all roads lead to heaven. How is this not abuse? I have witnessed another priest here in the same area compare the Tridentine mass to Nazism and liken all those who are fond of it to racists. How is this not abuse? In my own diocese, Latin was forbidden for over twenty years, and anyone who dared request such a thing was told he was a schismatic heretic. How is this not abuse? These are just examples from my own diocese, which is modest compared to the rest of the nation. Traditionally-minded Catholics have been systematically abused in this nation, not by all priests and bishops, but by many. This has been going on for a long time. You don't tell an abuse victim to "shut up" and just deal with it. Nor do you tell them it's all in the past now, so get over it. Sometimes you need to let them vent their frustrations. It's the only way healing can begin. Here on this blog I try to do that, and then offer practical suggestions sometimes as to how these frustrations might find more constructive use. In some senses, it's also a personal blog, in which I vent my own frustrations, observations and predictions. In these cases, my readers often tolerate me and offer constructive advice as well. Sometimes you've got to step back and look at the big picture. Such is the case with this blog. In the end, it's all about healing, but as you know, when you're dealing with abuse victims, sometimes you've got to let them break a few dishes before you finally get down to putting things back together.
Sorry Sir Knight, but now that I have attended my home parish's first N.O. with the new translation, I must say it is not as effective as I hoped. Yes the words were more truer to the Latin original and more theologically sound, and I am fortunate to go to a parish that does not commit gross liturgical abuses at Mass in the name of Vatican II, but after getting through the whole mass, the New Translation added nothing new to the reverence of the Mass. I honestly came out disappointed and were it not for my lectoring this Sunday and my priest's decent homily, I would have come away sad from the N.O. more empty than I am now. I didn't feel like my soul got lifted up in anyway and I feel like this is the wrong way to feel knowing what the Mass is.
Before today, I came to the Mass hoping for some increased reverence and a moving liturgy thanks to the much anticipated countdowns and hype on the conservative blogs like yours (and Fr. Z's and others), the package from my diocese explaining the Why's of the changes, and the whole "this is the beginning of the end" thing. So what happened when I came to mass? The usual. Usual procession, usual way of lectoring (we don't chant the verbum domini part in Engilsh either), the usual hymns just in between parts for the CCCB's mass setting we chose (which btw all 3 are banal though "A" is the most "churchy" sounding), the usual order. While it was cool to hear the changed Eucharistic prayer at Consecration, that didn't really change much. While the Mass will always be the re-presentation of the passion, death, and resurrection of our Lord, it sure didn't feel any different or more reverant and moving from the 2nd Missal Novus Ordo masses prior to this. Maybe I got to excited and inspired by the Catholic Blogosphere.
I will say though a couple of things I did notice though still supports what the Catholic world is saying on the internet and elsewhere. The priest's homily did end with a great line about comparing how we should approach the liturgy changes: like a child. They're attentive and willing to be filled with knowledge and good things from older and wise people. I was with an older woman in her 40's who was trying to manage with the new liturgy and I helped her a bit with a pew card. I also say a few people doing a bow right before receiving the eucharist, including an elementary school boy and his mother. There's definitely some hope as a whole for this thing. It's a start.
And UK Catholic, what are you trying to do here? Are you seriously "trolling" (A.k.a. disturbing the peace) and adding fuel to the liturgical war? For someone who says "There are no Pharisees in the Church Our Lord and Saviour founded" you are sounding like a Pharisee of the opposite end of the litrugical polemics.
Furthermore your comparison of veiling to the Muslim Faith implies an insult to the Islamic faith which goes against the ecumenism so proudly toted by the post Vatican II Catholic Church, and also is of a similar vein to Fr. Thomas Rosica, CEO of Salt and Light Television's insult of the trads/trids/TLM people being "taliban catholics."
Benedict XVI has acknowledged both forms of the Latin Rite as Sacramentally valid and licit. So why not take example of our Holy Father and show some Charity?
And just a small warning: Since my blog is attached to my name, if you come over, read my blog rules in my first post. I moderate all my posts as well.
Antaine, if you had read my post you would have seem I was referring to the missile back in the 1940s and before that. Remember there was a depression back in my father's day.
Furthermore in the tiny town my grandparents and parents originated they didn't have a Catholic church building. Instead they had travelling priests with the Holy Mass being celebrated in the homes of the faithful, my grandparents house being one of them.
It is obvious they never left tradition behind or I would not be posting here.
As for the next generation you only have to look to World Youth Day or be immersed in such an event to know that the next generation will be most likely even stronger in the Faith that this generation so that argument does not cut it either.
All I am saying is I was taught that the Blessed Eucharist was the focus of the Mass . All else is secondary.
OK CK thanks for explaining to me. Maybe I have been very lucky over here in the UK. I have had it all compared to you.....I was taught Latin for 4 years at school, had Tridentine for 7 years and the older ladies if the parish would not give up singing in Latin at mass in the 1970s and so kept to the true spirit of Vatican 2 with a "Sung Latin novo ordo option at 11am mass on Sunday”!!!! (NB. when women fight with you it’s often best to give in guys...they can be right in the end).Our dear priest was only too willing to agree with them thank God. I guess what I can see is that in some ways the US Catholics you describe are at one with Christ in His Passion. The worst thing that can happen to you is to be rejected, derided, ridiculed and stoned by your own people. You do need to heal but don’t take too long about it - don’t wallow - get up be positive (as Jesus said at the Pool at Bethesda - do you want to be healed?) - you are called to "get up" and rejoice. Don’t be bitter and sad. Live joyfully and Give praise. There is much to be done in the USA and prayer/exposition is the only way. If you must pressure your priests do it to get local regular exposition of the Eucharist. Like the women at the foot of the cross -and the ladies in my parish dogged quiet determined prayer.....Im sure all will be well. If you watch the popes UK visit the mass as he does it is so magnificent and plenty of Latin & vernacular .Its accessible to all - I can’t see why there should be any problems with it. For those who want Tridemntine we have Brompton Oratory here – you should have places where you can go find it in the USA.Its now a "free world" .....rejoice and be glad.
As I said, this is just the beginning. Don't expect anything dramatic overnight. What we can expect is a slow and gradual movement in the right direction, especially if we get involved in our parish boards, and assisting our priests, so as to have more of an influence.
Dear UK and Canadian Catholic,
One of the reasons why I did not moderate UK Catholic's comments is because I believe these comments were made in sincere ignorance of what is going on here in North America. As you can see above, UK Catholic is starting to realise the scope of the problem now, and is beginning to appreciate what we've endured over here.
I am glad to read that some of these problems were not as bad in the UK. That is encouraging to know. It should be noted however that this was not the case in the United States and Canada. Traditionally-minded Catholics suffered greatly here, even to the point where many just gave up and joined the SSPX or some Sedevacatist group. Thankfully, most just gritted their teeth and bore the cross for 40 years! Remaining silent witnesses in their Modernist parishes.
The purpose of this blog is to not only give another Internet outlet for traditionally-minded Catholics to vent, but also to find constructive solutions to the problems.
The fact remains, that while there are always a tiny minority of Modernist innovators who cause most of the problems, the overwhelming number of people who go along with it do so purely out of ignorance and poor catechesis. These confused souls do not deserve our wrath, and we should approach them with both compassion and education. There by the grace of God go ourselves.
What The Catholic Knight is calling for in this era of the new English translation, is a time of renewal and action. UK Catholic does make a very good point, which I agree with, which is why I allowed the above comments. The time for complaining is over. The pope has answered our pleas for help, has already made radical changes in response, and he is not even finished yet! It is time now for us to respond to his aid with our action. The time has come to 'invade' and 'occupy' our parishes (figuratively speaking), by becoming members of our parish boards and assisting our priests in the celebration of the liturgy. If you have musical talents, its time to get involved in the choir. You see what I'm getting at. Things have changed. I'm calling your attention to that. The time has come for us to change too. Let the Reform of the Reform go into full swing!
From UK Catholic - Amen Amen CK. Sorry to be so tough in my comments above fellow bloggers but shock theraphy is called for sometimes for a patient who is in trauma . Maybe we have been luckier than you over here in the UK but even given that , they do say that no-one is every given a cross they cannot carry...... US Catholics please dont forget the power of Euchristic adoration for America. My current priest has it every Saturday from 17.00-1745 for a special intention that the parish is praying for at the moment. He does it just before the Saturday mass so you can catch Benediction and mass all at one visit. We also have a parish prayer group. The priest has also scheduled the parish to organise prayer hours for every Sunday of Advent and the prayer group does one ( a novena to St Joseph this year) - with others such as the choir doing the rest.The Holy Hour is again for Eucharistic Adoration. This is the sort of thing you should be focussing on now. Take up your bed and walk America - !!!!!!
As I said Anonymous, in that case there would most likely have been exceptions made. We're not talking about being in a situation where money is an issue though. It probably cost more to create some of these ugly things. They're not churches.
I agree the eucharist is the main focus, but why stop there? If we can start making exceptions about our place of worship we can start making exceptions to anything, and that's been proved. Just look at the amount of "catholics" who say "Well that was only relevant back then", or "We don't do that anymore. That was a mistake".
As for the comments about the next generation, I believe my point still stands. A church is a holy respectable place. These things? Not really. I'm sure God doesn't mind mass being said in a house or somewhere humble if that's the situation you're in. But these things aren't humble. These things shouldn't be used for the mass.
UK Catholic - I am not calling all priests heretics, but it is obvious there are in fact priests who are. These priests are completely disobedient and openly speak out against the Pope and traditional, true catholic views. Just look at the situation that was taking place in Austria not too long ago.
Dear Catholic Knight,
I am a convert along with my Wife and children from a very conservative Baptist church. I must say that I am greatly enjoying the new translation. My personal experience was a greater visualization of what was spoken and it carried my spirit away. My four years as a Catholic have been some of the best years of the 41 I have been blessed with. I eagerly and optimistically look to the bright future of our Holy Church.
From my grandfather who was a religious Carmlelite layman during Vatican II there are some points we are missing in the above discussions.
Vatican II sought to allow mass in each country's language because too many people didn't understand the Latin and therefore didn't participate in the mass. The Latin was not banned by Rome as both vernacular and Latin were meant to compliment each other.
The Novus Ordo was supposed also to eliminate the length of the mass by one third and eliminate 40% or so of the kneeling. This was done in difference to the elderly, children, and women, who could not physically bear an hour and a half of mass with so much standing and kneeling.
Nothing in the Novus Ordo was meant to initiate a deconstruction of Catholic culture, music, architecture, and traditions in favor of a bland folk protestantism. That was done by disloyal bureaucrats and religious but not the Popes. Therefore, that which was not supposed to be lost should be recovered and that which was supposed to be changed should be respected.
Deo Vindici
Beseech instead of ask? Its is not in my language. It lacks the simplicity and beauty of both the Latin mass, in which I participated, and the original English mass, which was intelligently rather than literally translated.Needlessly complicated. Victorian.
Well it is what it is Gerald, and it isn't going to change now. When we consider this translation has been in the works for over a decade, we should understand there is no way the bishops will try to go back and tackle such a project again anytime in the near future. This new and current translation is intended to last a century or more. As for the old English translation it is officially an antique, as of six-days ago. So you can either save a copy and put it in your library, or sentimental sake, or let it go into the fire with the rest of them. One thing is for sure now. We will never hear that old translation of the mass again, outside of a schismatic or Protestant sect.
There are some Catholics in the United States talking about going to the Anglo ordinariate liturgy over this. Of couse, any Catholic is free to celebrate the mass according to the Anglican Use if so inclined, and of course any Anglo ordinariate parish will welcome Catholics from the ordinary form liturgy.
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