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October 12, 2006

In the world of liturgy, yesterday's news is always relevant. On Tuesday, Vatican officials announced that Benedict would expand the use of the Tridentine Mass, allowing priests to celebrate the Tridentine Mass without the approval of the local ordinary. The last time the Church addressed this issue was in John Paul's motu prorio Ecclesia Dei.

As it currently stands, it is necessary for the local ordinary to approve the celebration of the Tridentine Mass in his diocese. Many have noted that this requirement is in direct relation to the sine mandato consecrations by Bishop Marcel Lefebvre in 1988, which ultimately led to the excommunication of thirty priests and bishops (Click here for a video of the consecration (commentary in French)). John Paul's fear was that, without episcopal approval, some in the Church would read the motu as carte blanche permission to celebrate the Tridentine Mass and cultivate an insular society that eventually would culminate in something similar to the Society of St. Pius X, which is currently not in communion with Rome. In the more than ten years since Ecclesia Dei, it has become clear, especially here in the United States, that celebration of the Tridentine Mass does not automatically lead to schism. Cognizant of this reality, I posit that Benedict wishes to make available on a wider basis the austerity, beauty, and sanctity that is the Tridentine Mass.

For those that do not keep up with the Roman Rite, the liturgy most widely celebrated in the Church is the Novus Ordo, promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1970. The liturgy marked a drastic departure from the Tridentine Mass, which had remained unchanged since its promulgation by Pope Paul V in 1570 at the conclusion at the Council of Trent. (St. Joseph was added to Canon of the Mass in 1962, and the introits and graduals for Holy Week were also rearranged.) The Canon of the Mass, as well as the introits, collects, and graduals, were completely rewritten. The Mass may (not must) also be celebrated in the vernacular. In addition, the Eucharist was to be given under both species (notwithstanding the established doctrine of sub utraque) and numerous vestments were abolished. Many, including yours truly, believe that the liturgical "renewal" of Vatican II miscarried. The liturgical silly season that followed the Council bears absolutely no relation to the Council's decree on the liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, which asserts at more than one point that the "nature" of the liturgy should remain - Ockham's razor need only apply. Nevertheless, abuses included, the Novus Ordo remains the valid Sacrifice of the Mass.

I disagree that Benedict's move is an attempt to satiate the schismatic elements "on the right":

1.) Even with wider acceptance of the Tridentine Mass throughout the Church, other issues, such as the married deaconate, female altar servers, and eccumenicism, will keep many away.

2.) Many of these folks will not accept the Tridentine Mass according to the 1962 Missal, which is the Missal Benedict and the Curia have in mind.

3.) Many of these folks seriously question the validity of the Novus Ordo.

4.) The Curia's apparent acceptance of continued wide-spread abuses in the liturgy, especially in northern Europe and the U.S., is inexcusable.

As an added treat to ITA's readers, I include a delectable video of a Tridentine Easter Mass, 1941, with Fulton Sheen narrating!

Posted by Seth Zirkle at October 12, 2006 01:02 PM

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