John XXIII celebrating the full Papal Mass

A thread at Amy Welborn's on the Tridentine crank factor draws this observation from a commenter named Kurt:

I think the presence of kooks at the Tridentine Mass (and I have met a number of them) is an argument in favor of making this Mass even more available. Precisely by limiting it, it becomes the "property" of such kooks. If it were more readily available, more orthodox yet balanced catholics would frequent it. I have seen this happen among the college students whom I teach: young, orthodox, and in no way questioning the validity of the Novus Ordo--which they attend during the week.

Good point.

So do those of us who wish a wider availability of the Mass in Latin have reason to hope under Benedict XVI?

Here is a sampling of liturgically-themed articles and essays on Cardinal Ratzinger:

* Offering the Tridentine Mass

* Writing a foreword to a book on the Mass said ad orientem

* On the altar and the direction of liturgical prayer

* On the Old and New Mass

* On high altars

* On updating the Missal of John XXIII

* Cited by Fr. Fessio on the Mass offered ad orientem

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Liturgia Romana site has pics of Papal Masses c. 1962 and before.

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Past Adoremus Bulletin articles on Cardinal Ratzinger are included in the Benedict XVI tribute page at Women for Faith & Family.

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From John Allen at NCR, coverage of the election of Benedict XVI, and a 1999 profile on Cardinal Ratzinger.

And at L'Espresso, Sandro Magister writes on the new pope.