Yes, the Mass of Paul VI did “restore” a number of ancient elements, some of which the East should appreciate - for example, the inclusion of a more explicit epiclesis in the three “new” Eucharistic Prayers and greater lay participation (“dialogue masses” are now the norm). In addition, many of the “new” texts were drawn from ancient Western liturgies. That being said, I’ve also struggled with many of the changes and have often found myself asking “why?”. The reality is, the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite (Mass of Paul VI / Novus Ordo), as typically celebrated in the majority of our parishes, seems, on the surface, a far cry from the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite (the Tridentine or Gregorian mass - pre-Vatican II). When properly celebrated as the Council Fathers intended, however, we see a very different picture…and I think anyone who has been blessed to worship at a particularly traditional parish or witnessed a mass celebrated by our Holy Father would agree. Many elements of the Tridentine mass that appear to have disappeared in most parishes today remain valid options for the Ordinary Form - they have simply fallen into disuse. If one compares an Ordinary Form mass chanted in Latin, ad orientem, using Eucharistic Prayer I, incense, asperges (the sprinkling rite), the contrast with the Tridentine Mass becomes much less striking. While many of the propers (readings and prayers) for each day have drastically changed, the basic structure of both forms of the Roman Rite remain the same - in Latin the Kyrie (in this case Greek), Gloria, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei, fundamental prayers of the mass, remain the same…and Eucharistic Prayer I, which is still “preferred” by the Church for solemn occasions, is, of course, the Roman Canon of the Tridentine Mass.
At my cathedral the ordinary form mass is chanted (mix of English and Latin), incense is heavily used, the music is reverent, traditional, and inspiring, the faithful are given the option of receiving Our Lord kneeling at the altar rail, and Holy Communion is distributed almost exclusively by priests. There are a few parishes throughout the diocese where the pastor requires the faithful to receive Holy Communion in the traditional manner - kneeling at the altar rail - where reverent, chanted, traditional masses are the norm. I honestly believe that we are slowly seeing, in the words of our Holy Father, a “reform of the reform”…it may take decades, but we will undo the damage inflicted by liberals and heretics and restore the Roman Rite to its former glory. The Holy Father is leading by example.
