Living a pre-Vatican II lifestyle?

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I have two related questions: 1) Is it acceptable to the Church if one lives a pre-Vatican II lifestyle (e.g. following pre-VII fasting rules, using pre-VII breviary & Missal, attending only Tridentine Masses, following pre-VII classifications for holy days, etc.), and 2) if it is acceptable, what resources should one read to acquaint oneself with pre-VII requirements? Thanks in advance for your help!
 
gracepoole said:
I have two related questions: 1) Is it acceptable to the Church if one lives a pre-Vatican II lifestyle (e.g. following pre-VII fasting rules, using pre-VII breviary & Missal, attending only Tridentine Masses, following pre-VII classifications for holy days, etc.), and 2) if it is acceptable, what resources should one read to acquaint oneself with pre-VII requirements? Thanks in advance for your help!
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I am looking forward to the answers.

Welcome 🙂
 
Just a note of caution in regards the feastdays.

Let’s imagine that the Feast of St Bloggs is a Holy Day of Obligation. Also imagine that St Bloggs’ Day falls on July 20 in the pre-Vatican 2 calendar but was changed to September 1 post Vatican 2. You would NOT be OK to skip Mass on September 1 merely because it’s not the feast of St Bloggs on the pre-Vatican 2 calendar.

Apart from that, go for it.
 
I think it should also be said that, in regard to attending only the Tridentine Mass, it is not acceptable to miss Mass on a Sunday if for some reason - such as travel - no Tridentine Mass is available.
 
LilyM said:
Just a note of caution in regards the feastdays.

Let’s imagine that the Feast of St Bloggs is a Holy Day of Obligation. Also imagine that St Bloggs’ Day falls on July 20 in the pre-Vatican 2 calendar but was changed to September 1 post Vatican 2. You would NOT be OK to skip Mass on September 1 merely because it’s not the feast of St Bloggs on the pre-Vatican 2 calendar.
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Just to add to this, as a secular layperson, the calendar proper to you is the Proper Calendar of your Diocese.

For example, if some new post-VII saint was to have their day made into a Holy Day of Obligation (for argument sake, say Bl. Mother Teresa, because everyone loves her), then you would still be obligated to attend Mass that day regardless of whether there is a proper feast for that Saint in the EF.

Another thing I would caution is trying to “convert” people to living your lifestyle, or acting as if your choice to live this way is “superior” to others who, say, attend the OF. Don’t expect (or pressure) others to follow this same lifestyle if they don’t feel it is for them. Also, if the lifestyle is spiritually fruitful to you then that’s fine, but don’t let it become a stumbling block to fall into pride or feeling that you are exceptional in some way.

One last point: You are still bound by the Code of Canon Law, 1983 because it abrogated and superseded the 1917 Canon Law.
 
Wow, thanks for all the details regarding the liturgical calendar and holy days! Two quick things: 1) I live in an area where the Tridentine Mass is offered every Sunday, and 2) I have absolutely no interest in converting anyone to such a lifestyle or lording it over others as the “proper” way to be Catholic.

Thanks again, everyone! Keep the suggestions coming! 🙂
 
The wife and I have been living the pre-Vat II Traditional Form since 1974, the year that I was confirmed. And, yes, were able to find places to attend the old Mass that were approved by Bishops; mostly retired priests that had been given permission to say the Mass privately. We were able to be invited.

So we attend the EF exclusively. So far the Triduum has been magnificent. Even bigger crowds than last year. 😃
 
corsair said:
So we attend the EF exclusively. So far the Triduum has been magnificent. Even bigger crowds than last year. 😃
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I thought the Easter vigil was not allowed to be said in the EF? Did I hear that wrong?
 
The Triduum is allowed in the EF. see Summorum Pontificum. Our Seattle, North American Martyr’s parish is hosted by a regular OF only parish. when its time for the Triduum we rent the Chapel at the old St. Edwards Seminary (now Bastyr University). With some very innovative modifications we turn it into a beautiful Catholic Church each year. This year we had 4 priests, mostly FSSP, a seminarian. Solemn High Masses all week except Holy Friday.

We travel a very long way to attend this each year as do many others. Tomorrow its Sunday low Mass at Tacoma (hosted by the Polish parish).
 
Another thing includes the indulgences. The current law in force is for the most part the Enchiridion of Indulgences. Any old books that state the certain prayers carry this or that indulgence may no longer be up to date. The prayers, of course remain permitted for use but the indulgence may no longer be effective or as stated. In a great many cases though, what was indulgenced before remain indulgenced now, but not always. Check the current legislation. Further, on partial indulgences, we no longer account for days, we simply say that a partial indulgence is granted.

Holy Days of obligation are governed according to the current Code of Canon Law, and any exception from Friday Penance during Solemnities is based on the current liturgical calendar (it’s part of its being the Ordinary form). Therefore, if a Class I feast on the 1962 calendar falls on a Friday, check if it’s also a Solemnity on the Ordinary Form calendar. If yes, the exemption from Friday penance applies. If not, then the penance still binds.
 
I figured out my confusion. There can only be one Easter Vigil in a parish. So if a parish usually offers both forms on regular Sundays, the priest would have to chose which to offer. In most places that would be the OF.

I like the idea described above of offering the EF in a different location. Perhaps a chapel that is not normally used for Mass. I don’t think any of the parishes in my diocese offered the Vigil in the EF. Now I’ll have to go check. 🙂
 
Mrs_Sally said:
I figured out my confusion. There can only be one Easter Vigil in a parish. So if a parish usually offers both forms on regular Sundays, the priest would have to chose which to offer. In most places that would be the OF.

I like the idea described above of offering the EF in a different location. Perhaps a chapel that is not normally used for Mass. I don’t think any of the parishes in my diocese offered the Vigil in the EF. Now I’ll have to go check. 🙂
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Well, in St. Anthony here in Calgary, we had two of each Triduum evening liturgy; two Evening Masses of the Lord’s Supper, two Celebrations of the Lord’s Passion and two Easter Vigils, one in each Form. This is all legit and with the permission of our bishop.
 
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