I’m looking for the reasons (especially theological) why did the Novus Ordo Missae changed this:
-Priest facing people
-No Incense
-No Sub-deacons
-No Gregorian Chant
-45 Mins - 1 Hour long
The Old Mass was very beautiful and spiritual, why did it have to change? Are there any theological reasons?
Some I cannot answer, especially the priest facing the people, except perhaps that it is hard to participate when so much of what is being done is hidden by the priest himself? This is also the reason for the vernacular–to allow a more active participation by those who do not understand Latin.
Some “changes” you list have no theological justification, as they are not really changes. For example, incense and Gregorian chant are both allowed, even encouraged at times. How can their prohibition be justified, when they are not prohibited? Was incense ever required for Mass, apart from Solemn Mass?
The suppression of Subdeacons, like that of the minor orders of Porters and Exorcists, was that these orders no longer had functions as the Church had developed. Subdeacons originally aided the Deacons in their ministry of distributing alms to the poor–but other structures now were involved in that work. Similarly, Porters were needed to be sure that government spies or other non-baptized were kept out of the worshiping community, but that was not needed. Exorcists only really came back into a function when RCIA was reformed, and even now it’s a rite within the liturgy of the CHurch, especially at the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent, the scrutinies, where the Priests do the service.
The length of the “average” liturgy was not decreed; it’s simply a result of the rites in question and the community celebrating it. Some weekday masses are about 30 minutes; Sunday masses are usually 45-60 minutes–but in, say, Africa, a liturgy can go well over 2 hours.
The old Mass was, or could be, solemn, beautiful, and spiritual. But there was also a certain disconnect–that’s why there were so many devotions developed for the laity to be involved in, and why, for example, bells called their attention to the “essential” moments such as the consecration. There were many excessive symbols and actions that had crept in, and could be removed lest they draw attention from the core of the Mass, the Eucharistic Sacrifice Jesus gave us to “remember,” “take, and eat.” The Novo Ordo can be equally solemn, beautiful and spiritual.
The local Church had a no frill mass at 7. Another Mass starts at 8:30 so the 7 last about fifty minutes. It has no singing accept for a beginning and end song. This Mass is necessary during skiing season because it allows workers at the ski area to attend Mass. During the Summer it allows for the works on the river to attend.