Actually the wonderful Novus Ordo mass is much more traditional than the Latin Tridentine Mass. The original tradition of the mass, “the breaking of the bread” was in the language of the people. It was the Roman rite that broke with the tradition of the church and later demanded that mass be said in an elitist language very few people understood. This even led to the Roman rite later taking away communion under both species from the people. Among all the other Catholic rites, the Roman rite was virtually alone in these two “innovations.” The fathers at the Second Vatican Council were keenly aware that the Roman Rite had departed in many ways from the “real traditions” of the church. Also, during the Council. the Roman rite bishops were often reminded by the bishops of other Catholic rites that they should return to our orginal traditons, especially in the vernacular language and communion under both species. This had a profound effect on the Council fathers, who I believe were truly guided by the Holy Spirit. So when you go to a mass you do not understand, with a priest facing away from God and the people, with a railing seperating the altar table and the people, and not being being allowed to follow Jesus’s request that we receive His Body and Blood, remember these are later innovations. Also, remember these are your choices. The Spirit has made available to us now, a mass that we can understand and where we can really open our hearts up. If we only take it. A few years ago, we had some “traditionalist” priests take over our parish. They promptly took away communion under both species. They said we weren’t good enough, only priests were (I am not making this up). I really feel the loss at not being able to receive communion as Jesus allowed and indeed wants us to.
