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Under the patronage of St. Tammany
Mark C. N. Sullivan is an editor at a Massachusetts university. He is married and the father of three children. Email
An editorial from Inside the Vatican Magazine that has been making the rounds has been posted by John at the Six Bells.
I agree with John that the Old Mass ought not replace the New, but should be made more widely available. I also think the editorial lets Paul VI off too easily.
An excerpt from the editorial by Robert Moynihan:
I am persuaded that the restoration of the old Mass, with its simple solemnity and rich symbolism, would not offend non-Catholics, as is feared, but attract them and attract them profoundly.
And I am persuaded that the restoration of the old Mass would not "confuse" the faithful, but would "galvanize' them, deepening their Christian faith, confirming them in the love of God and their neighbor. And this, in fact, is what the bishops at Vatican II most deeply desired.
I am convinced that the restoration of the old liturgy would be a consolation to many, who have attended the new Mass, not to "participate more fully" in the new liturgy, but, out of obedience to a Pope and hierarchy which has asked them to "give up" the Mass they love.
I am persuaded that the restoration of the old Mass would be a "festival day," a day of universal celebration and, as such, would mark the beginning of a great renewal in Church life."
The Pope could order tomorrow that every graduating seminarian be capable of celebrating the Novus Ordo, at least, in Latin, with extra credit for mastering the Old Mass; and that every parish in the world offer at least one Mass a week, preferably on Sunday, in Latin, the universal tongue of the Church.
He could order that, couldn't he? Why doesn't he?
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David Kubiak comments on a previous post on the Oratorians:
I have always found Mass at the Brompton Oratory to be very peculiar -- why expend all that Counter-Reformation splendor on the Novus Ordo? Archbishop Bugnini never meant his Mass to look or sound like that. The high altar of the Church is to my mind insulted by having those repulsive NO Offertory prayers said where 'Suscipe Sancte Pater...' was intended to be heard.