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Everything Else

More on reform, not of the reform

In other words, you need to do it correctly at least once.

This is a follow-up to my earlier comments on Bishop Trautman in Since we messed it up.

Anthony Esolen susses out Bishop Trautman’s statement in opposition to the corrected English translation of the Mass in By the Waters of Babylon at Mere Comments.

A flash from the Religious News Service today — stop the presses! Catholic liturgical tsars and tsarinas are angry that for the first time since the Novus Ordo was instituted in the 1960’s, the Mass will be translated into English. For those of you who aren’t Roman Catholic, the Latin text had been folded, spindled, and mutilated, stretched like bubble gum, amputated here and there, diluted everywhere, phrases lopped off, others twisted out of joint, in general to bring the Father down to earth where he belongs. Italians say that every traduttore is a traditore, meaning that every translator is a traitor; but that treachery can never be laid to the charge of the people who brought us the Novus Ordo in Anguish, because they never really bothered to translate in the first place.

The funniest line was:

Bishop Trautman, who it is said does not like to be called Bishop Trautperson, has been one of the two or three bishops most responsible for the desacralized language of the liturgy.

Whadda matter wit inklusiv language?

Everything Else

Since we messed it up

The infamous Bishop Trautman, long in the forefront of liturgical sloppiness, is taking on corrections proposed for the liturgy.

From the Religion News Service: U.S. CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ LITURGY CHAIR RAISES CONCERNS OVER NEW WORSHIP TEXTS

The Catholic Academy of Liturgy met on January 4, 2007 in Toronto, Canada, prior to the annual meeting of the North American Academy of Liturgy. The keynote speaker was Bishop Donald Trautman of Erie, Pennsylvania and chair of the Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). In his address entitled —When Should Liturgists Be Prophetic?— Trautman raised concerns about current directions in the revision now underway of the English edition of the Roman Missal being prepared by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL).

Their prophecy has been false so far, and you know what they say about false prophets.

The first edition in English of the Roman Missal was issued in 1973. Drawing on biblical scholarship, historical theology, and his many years of pastoral experience as a bishop, he contended that the new translations do not adequately meet the liturgical needs of the average Catholic…

Because lifting the people up, focusing them on God, helping them to overcome the averageness of their lives, would be the mission of Christ’s Church, not the church of what’s-happening-now.

…and expressed fears that the significant changes in the texts no longer reflect understandable English usage. Trautman argued that the proposed changes of the people’s parts during the Mass will confuse the faithful and predicted that the new texts will contribute to a greater number of departures from the Catholic Church.

Can’t get much lower than the current 20-30% attendance rates.

The Bishop cited various problematic texts, criticizing their awkward structure and arcane vocabulary that would be very difficult for the priest to pray aloud and for the people to follow.

Not as difficult as it will be to recapture their Latin Language skills.

Just as problematic for Trautman was the recent decision to change the words of consecration that refer to Christ’s blood being shed —for all— to —for many.— That change could be easily misinterpreted as denying the faith of the Roman Catholic Church that Christ died for all people.

And he’s a bishop… A JP II Bishop at that.

Everything Else,

On respecting the Lord and the laity

Patricia Tryon of Out of the Frying Pan writes on her attendance at Mass today for the Roman Catholic Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Her comments are worth a read, especially by priests, deacons, and seminarians.

Respect for the Lord and the laity begins with preparation. Preparation sets the tone for the Holy Mass (or for any other liturgical/devotional service). Solemnity and prayerfulness are expected, after all, the clergy and laity are there to worship the Lord, not square dance.

As clergy we should be respectful of the fact that most folks do come prepared, and for us to do otherwise (and gloss over the lack of preparation – hey why not explain what happened, people will give you the benefit of the doubt) is disrespectful.

For Patricia’s full take on the issue see Today is a Holy Day of Obligation.

Christian Witness, Homilies, PNCC, , , ,

Homily of the Ecumenical Patriarch concerning the Liturgy

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Fr. John T. Zuhlsdorf’s blog What Does The Prayer Really Say? offers a transcript of the Ecumenical Patriarch’s homily on the Holy Mass delivered during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle.

Both the homily and Fr. Zuhlsdorf’s commentary in Homily of the Ecumenical Patriarch before Benedict are worth a read.

As a member of the PNCC I am in full agreement. The holiness, solemnity, and care used in both the Traditional and Contemporary Rites of the Holy Mass in the PNCC are a testament to our living connection to —the kingdom of heaven where the angels celebrate; toward the celebration of the liturgy through the centuries; and toward the heavenly kingdom to come.—

My thanks to Fr. Jim Tucker for pointing to this in Constantinople Patriarch on Sacred Liturgy.

Perspective

Rev. Al Kimel —“ leading the revolution

The Rev. Kimel makes some great points regarding ritual gestures* during the Holy Mass in his post Living on the ritual edge—”the wild world of crossings and bowings.

At the same time he’s acting like a neophyte.

Perhaps he missed the fact that the R.C. Church (at least in the United States) has been demanding absolute uniformity in regard to gestures during Mass (regardless of their conformity with universal law). Kneeling during consecration —“ no way. Come forward in the breadline and bow or kneel prior to receiving the Eucharist, take it in your hand, step aside, consume, walk away (like that happens —“ except on EWTN). Go back to your seat —“ and God forbid —“ DO NOT KNEEL.

Is the Rev. Kimel taking a stand against uniformity? Perhaps he should have waited until after ordination? Playing off Davey and Goliath —“ the Bishop isn’t going to like that Davey!

The Pope can’t fix this one, and that’s the problem —“ he’s not down in the chancery —“ nor do they want him there. When you place your hands into the hands of the Bishop Ordinary your loyalty is demanded, including loyalty to locally imposed norms. For good or bad (and I haven’t seen any Bishops deposed by the Pope recently —“ hint, hint, Tod Brown) you’re in. Thus, great humility is necessary.

BTW – those locally imposed norms have created a generation of ‘it’s all optional’ thinkers**. The catechesis necessary to break that cycle will take generations – that is, if there is any will to do so.

*Note that the things he mentions, crossing oneself at appointed times, and those to come (striking the breast, bowing at the name of the Lord and the Holy Trinity) is a living part of the Holy Mass in the PNCC. I love them not because of their form – but because they make you stop and think.

**Some of my R.C. friends – the ‘I just go to church’ types – get really ticked-off whenever additional rubrics, rules, gestures are imposed. What they share with traditionalists is the line, ‘Can’t they just leave my mass alone?’

Everything Else

So much for your hopes

From the Washington Times in Benedict eases Latin Mass limits:

Officials for the Archdiocese of Washington and the dioceses of Arlington and Richmond said that they do not anticipate using the Latin Mass more often because some of their churches already offer it.

So much for allowing priests on the local level to decide for themselves (like that would ever happen).

…and I’d add, for those in Washington D.C., Arlington and Richmond, fill up your tanks. You’ll still be doing the long trek to your nearest Tridentine Rite Holy Mass.

Current Events

Available but unused – on the Tridentine Rite

There is buzz aplenty across the press and the blogspere about the imminent alleged freeing of the Tridentine Rite of the Holy Mass for Roman Catholics.

The Catholic News Services reports: Vatican source says pope to expand use of Tridentine Mass

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI is preparing to expand permission to use the Tridentine Mass, the pre-Vatican II rite favored by traditionalist groups, said an informed Vatican source.

The pope is expected to issue a document “motu proprio,” or on his own initiative, which will address the concerns of “various traditionalists,” said the source, who asked not to be named.

The source said the new permission, or indult, was a papal decision, but was being done in cooperation with agencies of the Roman Curia. He would not elaborate on the extent of the indult, when it would be established or how it would work…

I hope it is true for those who have a love for and a desire for the Rite. I think wider use will benefit the Roman Church in that it will reconnect Rome to its historic patrimony. Hope for more than that at this time is unwarranted.

But, I still have to ask, who will do it?

  • The local pastor or associate pastor who had three years of Latin in the minor seminary (that’s a big maybe) and can’t remember a word of it (especially pronunciation)? Even if he can pronounce the words correctly, can he connect the words he is saying with their meaning? Can he connect his intent to the words he’s using?
  • The local pastor or associate pastor who has not one iota of an idea of how to properly attire himself (now where did I put those gothic chasubles —“ oh, yeah, I remember I threw them out when we got the rainbow set), follow rubrics, or disconnect himself from the idea of ‘connecting with the people’?
  • The local pastor or associate who gets through all this only to have one cadre of parishioners at the throats of another cadre; each calling the bishop’s office to complain? Oh, the bishop will like that so much. That bishop will make a local ‘unwritten’ rule and kill the career of any ‘traditional’ priest who tries this. After all, they tried to get ’em in the seminary —“ and if they did slip through —“ well now is the chance (at least in the U.S.).
  • The priest you know from blog such-and-so who received a classical education in Rome (or any other decent seminary), connects to Tradition, and says he will do this? Sure, until his pastor, head of the deanery, or bishop pulls back the reigns because ‘we have to [pick one or more: test the waters, go slow, catechize the people, do a class on rubrics, language, and music, create a local committee to decide where and when…]’

If anyone hopes that this will happen overnight in their local deanery they are sadly mistaken. No books, no training in Latin and the rubrics, no vestments, no training in proper music to accompany the Holy Mass, and altar girls. There is a lot to overcome and it will be a slow slog – again IF this happens.

Hopefully the Tridentine Rite Holy Mass will be available to Roman Catholics who desire it, on the local level, and without a ton of bureaucracy to get there. Hopefully local parishes will implement this. But that is a lot to hope for in the face of a lot of basics that need to be covered first.

I would also consider the danger – some will have their hopes up and run to the local pastor – ‘Oh father, please!’ only to have their hopes dashed. ‘Father, but the Pope said. Well dear he says a lot of things.’

I’m lucky, I have the Traditional Rite in the PNCC, in English, and it has always been there. It’s the pre-1974 beauty I remember from the R.C. parish I grew up in, in a language I can understand.

So to my title, the Tridentine Rite Holy Mass may be made available, but in the U.S. at least, your chance of seeing one won’t be greatly improved (except for tuning in to EWTN). Disintegration happened quickly because rust never sleeps. Repair is done in small steps taken carefully.

Everything Else,

They’re coming back…

I received a CM Almy 2006-2007 liturgical catalog today. Since I am not independently wealthy I do not shop at Almy, but I like to look.

I noticed that this version of the catalog has a lot more in terms of dalmatics (some nice traditional styles and some modernist stuff) and they have maniples!

Maniples are certainly used in some PNCC parishes (we have several beautiful sets in our parish), and I know that they are used in traditionalist R.C. circles, as well as by some Anglo-Catholics, but finding them in this kind of catalog —“ well where have I been?

I’ve always been a firm believer in ‘the clothes make the man.’ Too many rush through the process of getting vested, skipping the vesting prayers. Careful attention to detail helps us remember whom we are to re-present and how we are to conduct ourselves. It is also a good lesson for altar servers. I also try to pray with our altar servers before the beginning of Holy Mass.

Here are vesting prayers that are commonly (or uncommonly) used:

When washing the hands: Give virtue to my hands, O Lord, that being cleansed from all stain I might serve you with purity of mind and body.

With the amice: Place upon me, O Lord, the helmet of salvation, that I may overcome the assaults of the devil.

With the alb: Purify me, O Lord, and cleanse my heart; that, being made white in the Blood of the Lamb, I may come to eternal joy.

With the cincture: Gird me, O Lord, with the girdle of purity, and extinguish in me all evil desires, that the virtue of chastity may abide in me.

With the maniple: Grant, O Lord, that I may so bear the maniple of weeping and sorrow, that I may receive the reward for my labors with rejoicing.

With the stole: Restore unto me, O Lord, the stole of immortality, which was lost through the guilt of our first parents: and, although I am unworthy to approach Your sacred Mysteries, nevertheless grant unto me eternal joy.

With the chasuble: O Lord, Who said: My yoke is easy and My burden light: grant that I may bear it well and follow after You with thanksgiving. Amen.

With the dalmatic: Lord, endow me with the garment of salvation, the vestment of joy, and with the dalmatic of justice ever encompass me.

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