albert cipriani:
The question you keep skirting is why celebrate the New Mass liturgy if you feel that it is less conducive to your own holiness than the Tridentine liturgy?
That’s not my assertion. That may be your assertion, but I believe it is one based upon ignorance.
My reference to “milk” and “solid food” has to do with catechesis, not sanctification. And even then, the Tridentine Mass is “solid food” in reference to many who do not understand Latin or sufficiently learned in the liturgy so as to understand what is going on and why. Most of the Catholics that I know could not digest it (catechetically), let alone catecumens or converts. And evangelization and catechesis to poorly catechized Catholics, catechumens, and non-Catholics is an important part of the mission of the Church. The Pauline Mass is valid, and so it is sanctifying, but no more or less than any other valid Catholic liturgy.
Or if you have no preference, why do you condemn Traditionalists who do have a preference?
I don’t. This is simply a false accusation. I haven’t condemned anybody. For one, I don’t have that authority.
All I have done is point out that the SSPX have no bishop that is not excommunicated. I’ve also pointed out that SSPX priests have no incardinated priests. The SSPX are not in full communion with the Roman Pontiff, and as such are schismatic. Consequently, they have no more priestly authority in my Holy Religion than do other schismatics. Theire actions are in violation of canon law. Their contention that “Vatican II adulterated Catholic teaching” is contrary to the teaching of the Roman Pontiff in the exercise of the ordinary magisterium, and canon law charges me and all Christian faithful “to take care to avoid those things which do not agree with” the teachings of the authentic magisterium (cf. canon 752). All of canon law is binding, not just some canons.
Canon Law makes allowance for my preference for the unapproved Tridentine liturgy as the fulfillment of my Sunday obligation. Refer to the 1983 Code, 1248, par 1 which states:“He who assists at Mass wherever it is celebrated in a Catholic rite (ubicumque celebratur ritu catholico) satisfies the precept of assisting at Mass…”
I agree that one can satisfy their precept of assisting at Mass celebrated by an SSPX priest. I’ve not asserted otherwise. Yet, there’s more to being faithful and obedient than satisfying this precept.
Canon Law states that I am imune from penalties in disobeying any bishop who would deny me access to the Tridentine Mass. Refer to Canon 1323 of the 1983 Code which states: “No one is liable to a penalty who, when violating a law or precept acted only under compulsion of grave fear, even if only relative, or by reason of necessity or grave inconvenience…”
You certainly may be immune from judicial penalties if indeed you have true “grave fear.” But God knows the difference between feigned “grave fear” and a hardened heart. I pray you truly have “grave fear” and do not act out of sinful ignorance.
I cannot join with you in assisting at an SSPX Mass, however, simply because I understand fully that the Sacraments do not produce sanctifying grace
ex opere operante, but do so
ex opere operato. Consequently, the Pauline Mass is no more or less sanctifying than the Tridentine Mass, nor any other approved Catholic liturgy. Thus, no true grave fear exists for me.