tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post114752374067821400..comments2024-03-25T06:39:42.081-04:00Comments on Bonfire of the Vanities: What about the Traditional form of Mass?Fr Martin Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375628123126091747noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1147534655518295682006-05-13T11:37:00.000-04:002006-05-13T11:37:00.000-04:00Jackie:About the term "novus ordo," see my subsequ...Jackie:<BR/><BR/>About the term "novus ordo," see my subsequent post, just uploaded...Fr Martin Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01375628123126091747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1147531867418987762006-05-13T10:51:00.000-04:002006-05-13T10:51:00.000-04:00Dear Fr.Any action that represents the Sacrifice o...Dear Fr.<BR/><BR/>Any action that represents the Sacrifice of Calvary and makes present the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, the 2nd Person of the Blessed Trinity, the God of the Universe - seems to me to be infinitely good and amazing. I don't know how to compare infinites. What I do know how to compare is how well the action presents that reality to the people attending and helps them be more aware of the magnificent sacrifce Jesus did for us and the sacrament He left for us. So - how do these compare:<BR/><BR/>I have never been to the Tridintine Mass - though have seen them on TV/tapes - of course the High Mass then. What I liked about it (that I think is not as prevelent in the Paul VI Mass) is the awe inspiring, big, beautiful, mysterious aspects of it. I think when the Mass was said prior to 1965, the emphasis was on the rubrics and therefore, there was much less of an opportunity or imclination to have liturgical abuses - small or large. Clearly large abuses cause much harm - (balloon Masses, changing the words of Consecration, etc.) but the small changes and differences cause a constant buzz everytime you go to Mass. (Was that 'allowed' or 'wrong', why? What did that mean?) There is an important aspect of sameness that is comforting (think the Rosary) that allows me to concentrate on the important aspects of the Mass. Changes just distract me - I can either worship or analyse.<BR/><BR/>I think that it would be wise to provide a general indult for every priest to be able to say the Pius V Mass - primarily because it would remove a fight that just doesn't need to be. For priests and laity that want it - fabulous - for those that don't - go to the Paul VI Mass and let's all move on. <BR/><BR/>I do think, that we need a Reform of the Reform BUT it must be done slowly (not 20 years - think 3-5 years) with lots of education - starting with What is the Mass and going into the changes. My list would be add Latin for those parts that don't change - Gloria, Confiteor, Creed, etc. Those things that change, the readings, etc. in the vernacular. (Traveling internationally for my job, I have gone to Mass in Asia, South America and all over Europe - to be able to 'actively participate' in the liturgy would be a marvoulous thing and would emphasis that the Church is really and truely One.)I would also like to be led in prayer by my Father - so I would have the priest facing east with the congregation at the appropriate times. (It also reduces the inclination for a performance as opposed to In Persona Christi)<BR/><BR/>Finally, I can't agree more that the behavior of the congregation before, during and after Mass is of huge importance but it will be primariy determined by the behavior and expectations of the pastor - our spiritual father. If Dad is reverent at Mass and in church - always geneuflecting before Our Lord in the Tabernacle, speaking very quietly in the Church or deferring conversations to outside, slowing down running children and preaching about the proper behavior and dress in Church - then the attitude at Mass and in Church will change. Children (and adults) notice the priest and sister's behavior - even when they don't say they notice. (Clearly making the Chruch beautiful - vestments, chalices, monstrances, flowers, music, etc. also convey - this place is different and calls for different behavior than the football field or the rec room.)<BR/><BR/>God Bless you Fr. and so - why DON'T you call it the Novos Ordo Mass?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-1147530795925981002006-05-13T10:33:00.000-04:002006-05-13T10:33:00.000-04:00I grew up singing in a choir that sang Latin respo...I grew up singing in a choir that sang Latin responses for the Eucharistic Prayer, Latin hymns, motets, etc, but also good English hymns (which included Gift of Finest Wheat), so I am sympathetic to expanded use of Latin. <BR/><BR/>My experience this past Lent in my current parish was disappointing. At Mass, both the Sanctus and the Agnus Dei were sung in Latin, but the cantors/ musicians never bothered to teach the responses to the people. The numbers did appear on the hymnal sign, but few people use that for the responses (and reading does not necessarily help one pronounce or sing the words). <BR/><BR/>Also, I've been impressed with a limited use of the <I>Ad orientem</I> - namely during the Penitential Rite, kneeling on the stairs of the Sanctuary: it was clear to me (before having read Ratzinger) that the priest was including himself in the penance even as he was representing and leading the people. <BR/><BR/>So, baby steps, explaining things, and practicing things are quite important. Our current pastor took time out to ask us to bow during the creed (also to kneel at Christmas, Annunciation). People may not realize what is expected unless it is periodically taught.Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01262662173303042998noreply@blogger.com