That’s an excellent question! I appreciate the long-held disciplines and customs of the Church that are still allowed by the Church. Does that mean (for example) that I like the EF? Yes, it does. Does it mean I prefer the EF over the OF? Nope.
Wouldn’t that description apply to any Catholic? Surely a traditional Catholic not only appreciates what the Church allows now, but has a preference for what she has done in the past, i.e. traditionally. Would you not agree?
No where has the Church ever mandated or even suggested that the norm for celebrating the OF beLatin.
I think the norm for the OF actually is Latin, and the “vernacular” requires an indult. Am I wrong in that? Additionally, and I will readily admit that I am no expert, but I believe Vatican II called for Latin to be retained in the Latin rite, and that all people should be able to respond in Latin during the liturgy. Does Latin in two or three hymns really comply with that? It certainly seems a begrudging and weak response to the call of the Council. But, I really don’t mean to pound the Latin button, as it is not a big deal in and of itself for me. Rather, compliance with the Council is a major issue, as is a logical and effective approach to the vernacular. As I see it, neither has been achieved at this time.
I don’t know anyone that assumes anything about the vernacular. At my home parish, people seem to enjoy the Latin, English and Spanish.
All at one Mass? How is that Mass in the vernacular, or in a language understood by the people? I don’t speak Spanish, and don’t really see why I should need a translator or a dictionary to understand the general intercessions in a Mass offered in English. If I can’t understand half of the Mass, why can’t that half be in Latin as the Council seemed to desire, rather than Spanish?
I have no problem with vernacular Masses, and I don’t think it is a big deal that such exist. What bothers me is that it hardly makes sense to say that we can’t have Latin because nobody understands it, but we can have Spanish even if all the people speak English. Why? Spanish Masses, advertised in advance as such, are fine, but English Masses should be in English, or in English and Latin, as the Church has called for. Not English, Tagalog, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Vietnamese and any other language which may seem fun to throw in there. I just don’t see any value to the argument that Latin is bad because people don’t understand it, but Tagalog is okay even though most people also don’t understand it.
None of your misgivings is a result of the intrinsic design of the OF – it has to do with how it’s celebrated at the parish you attend.
I have to disagree, it is intrinsic. The OF Mass is about choice, and there is no limit on when and where such choices may be used. The structure of the Mass is such that one small option, regardless of how useful or helpful such option may be, can be used to the total exclusion of the original and well established forms that have been used for centuries. That is actually very intrinsic, and shows a severe failing in the approach taken to the ordinary form of the Mass.
No, they are not abuses – they are very legitimate options. They may not fit your own personal taste (nor mine for that matter) but they certainly do not make like love the OF (or the EF for that matter) any less.
Yes, they are not abuses, and that is because the Mass allows that approach to be taken. It is a legal way of offering Mass. But, is it wise? If it isn’t, then why make it possible to do so? I think this is a flaw in your “theoretical” approach to this issue, comparing an “abuse-free” OF to a similar EF. You clearly also have in mind a tasteful, reverent and well enacted Mass, and that goes beyond the abuse issue.
The EF analogy is having a Tridentine low Mass Sunday after Sunday after Sunday. Many would have the same sort of misgivings you are trying to communicate above but in no way would the spartan Mass be abusive – it would be a legitimate option.
Yes, that is true, and I think that would be a pertinent point. I have no experience with the EF but in reading others comments on how it works I would think much could have been done to reform it and improve the life of the Church. But, that doesn’t automatically make the OF better, or mean that the problems with the OF aren’t there.