Latin Mass

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conemac

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I learned to appreciate the Latin mass two decades ago. Then I read
the Adoremus Bulletin in the 1990’s which explained what the council
fathers (read “Holy Spirit”) had intended for the reform of the mass.
I came to understand that all the regular prayers that are said in
every mass are to be said in Latin and the prayers that vary for the
particular feast or saint of the day and the readings and gospel are
said in the vernacular(English for us). Then I attended a Northern
California family conference in 1998 put on by St.Joseph
Communications which does the Long Beach family conference every year
and Fr. Fessio said the novus ordo Latin mass. We were all provided
with the Adouemus Hymnal which has the order of the mass plus the
traditional songs in English , music for chant and traditional
prayers in Latin. It was very easy to follow, much easier than the
Tridentine Latin mass. I could pray every prayer along with Fr.
Fessio and knew what I was praying having such a clear and easy
translation, and the music was so conducive to meditation. It was as
beautiful and devotional as any other Latin mass I had attended but
I was convinced I participated better in this “reform of the
reform” mass. I believe this was the intent the council fathers had
when they expressed the desire to have the faithful participate more
actively in the mass. All you who assume it is not as fullfilling as
the Tritentine mass ought to give it a try.Since it was inspired by
the Holy Spirit, we know it is the future of the mass, even if it
will probably take a few generations to gradually get it implemented
by saying more of the prayers in Latin like the Agnes Dei. Check out
Mother Angelica’s daily mass on EWTN. She’s already well on her way
to the reform mass. I heard Fr. Fessio say in one of his talks that
she is always at the forefront of reforms that the Holy Father wishes
to implement and is always sensitive to the prompting of the Holy
Spirit and in leading the way in getting His desires accomplilshed.

Teresa Conemac
 
When the Novus Ordo Missae was first promulgated, everyone said the Mass in Latin. Eventually Priests began to use only the vernacular and those that continued to use Latin stopped doing so because everyone else had. My Priest says that he stopped the Latin Novus Ordo because everyone else did.

I don’t think that the Novus Ordo was inspired by the Holy Spirit but I do think that those who created this Mass did so with good intentions at heart.
Then I read the Adoremus Bulletin in the 1990’s which explained what the council fathers (read “Holy Spirit”) had intended for the reform of the mass.
Vatican II did not call for the total creation of a new Mass. They wanted to change the Tridentine Mass slightly to induce more active participation. In actual fact, things like Communion in the hand were originally abuses that came to be tolerated. The Council Fathers did not call for many of the changes that occured such as the removal of altar rails and the replacement of high altars for tables syle altars. These things were done in the so-called “Spirit of Vatican II.”

I don’t believe that the Holy Spirit decided to rid the Church of the Tridentine Mass. Never in the history of the Church has an entire Mass been supressed in the way that the Tridentine Mass was in the 1970’s. Even our Holy Father has stated his belief that this was wrong. The only people who decided to do away with the Tridentine Mass were liberal minded “liturgical experts.” At the time, there were many within the Church who were opposed to the New Mass but these voices were drowned out by the liberals.
 
I learned to appreciate the Latin mass two decades ago. Then I read
the Adoremus Bulletin in the 1990’s which explained what the council
fathers (read “Holy Spirit”) had intended for the reform of the mass.
I came to understand that all the regular prayers that are said in
every mass are to be said in Latin and the prayers that vary for the
particular feast or saint of the day and the readings and gospel are
said in the vernacular(English for us)
you’re right, the councel did call for some reformes, and the 1962 missal could benefit from it in a few places. that being said, the NO is not what the councel called for. it was created after the councel and after the liturgy had been reformed. you should read up on the 64 missal. it has all the reforms that you described and thats it. the NO on the other hand takes it a lot farther.
 
I, and I think as well, the vast majority of Catholics, like what Vatican 2 actually said. How it has actually been interpreted is what causes all the division and conflict in the liturgy today.

Fr. Fessio is at the forefront of bringing about positive change, and from what I’ve heard, he’s an all-around good priest. Actually, what opened my eyes to what Vatican 2 really meant, in particular, what “participation” means, was this essay by Father Fessio:

ignatiusinsight.com/features2005/fessio_massv2_1_jan05.asp

Active participation can often be found in unlikely places, too, like the congregation saying the altar servers responses in the Tridentine Mass, something I saw in a video of an SSPX (of all places…) the other day.

I still think that the OF could use a couple textual changes (I’ve always believed that the OF and EF should be textually the same, rubrics aside), but the most important changes can take place outside of this, like people learning some Latin responses, or taking part in Gregorian Chant. I’m positive that the OF can still be salvaged, and made into something that produces Saints and general holiness. We just need to hang in there, and keep pushing for V2 to finally be properly implemented on a Diocesan and Parochial level.
 
From what i have been reading from various articles relating to Pope Benedicts motu proprio and idea’s on the liturgy, It seems that his goal may be to have both forms of the mass learn from each other so one day we will have One “form” of the roman rite that will be an organic blend of both like the council envisioned. I mean it doesnt seem like a bad idea. It would be what Vatican II was aiming for, a tridentine style mass with active participation of the faithful but not as radical as the current Novus Ordo.
 
Pope Pius X invited active/full participation by the laity.

“The Holy Mass is a prayer itself, even the highest prayer that exists. It is the sacrifice, dedicated by our Redeemer at the Cross, and repeated every day at the altar. If you wish to hear the Mass as it should be heard, you must follow with eye, heart, and mouth all that happens at the altar. Further, you must pray with the Priest the holy words said by him in the Name of Christ and which Christ says by him. You have to associate your heart with the holy feelings which are contained in these words and in this manner you ought to follow all that happens at the altar. When acting in this way you have prayed Holy Mass.”

His Holiness Pope Pius X
 
When the Novus Ordo Missae was first promulgated, everyone said the Mass in Latin. Eventually Priests began to use only the vernacular and those that continued to use Latin stopped doing so because everyone else had. My Priest says that he stopped the Latin Novus Ordo because everyone else did.
This is indeed interesting. Here in the US we began the transition to the NO in Latin but by 1969 the Mass was entirely in English. The first time I saw a Latin NO was on EWTN and I would be perfectly happy with a reverent Latin/English NO like I saw on All Saint’s Day on EWTN.
 
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