Okay I’ve read what people are saying I just want to give kind of a general reply at this point:
First, I dont mean this to attack people’s theology so please don’t take it as that. I rather mean to call into question the claims that the Tradional Mass is from the 16th cent.
That being said, Second, Yes, the Mass that came from Trent can be viewed as a reform of the Mass, oh wait thats what happened at Vatican Two as well. Like at Trent Vatican Two responded to the needs to the people and helped the Mass speak to people where they are. Now I undestand fully that not everyone is at the same place which is why I’m so glad the “old” Mass is still around for all ya’ll. However, my underlying question is why are the reforms of Trent okay but the reforms of Vatican Two bad?
Third (or Two B) People have been saying that Trent just took and ran with the Mass of the 7th Century and thats why its just a reform…kind of. What historically was going on at the time of Trent was that each place had its own kind of Mass and the Church knew it needed a standard. It looked to what was the oldest Mass it had, the Roman Mass of Gregory. Soooo yes it goes back that far but NOT for the universal Church. For everyone other than the Romans Trent was a “new” Mass in the same way Vatican Two was a “new” Mass.
That being said, Fourth,The Mass that came out of Gregory the Great is not the oldest Mass we now have. The earliest Traditions of the Church are what I’ve already spoken of. Vatican Two was an effort to break away from old, noble Roman traditions and make the Church and the Mass truely universal.
Fifth and most importantly, Mass has always been about meeting people where they are. About bringing them to a place where they can see God. Jesus did not fall for the trappings of this world, Paul and the Early Fathers and Saints cared more about the gathering and the bringing God and people together than about the language and words and clothes used and worn. If Trent and that Mass speak to you thats wonderful but please understand that the Tradition it upholds is not the Latin or the vestments or even the prayers but rather the coming together of the people of God to share the Holy Meal and the Praise God.
Please though keep talking, I rather like hearing what people have to say