NLM carries the full text of the address of Cardinal Castrillon de Hoyos to the Latin Mass Society, it is worth reading in full but here are a few significant points.
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In response to the prayers and sufferings of so many people in these past four decades, Almighty God has raised up for us a Supreme Pontiff who is very sensitive to your concerns. Pope Benedict XVI knows and deeply appreciates the importance of the ancient liturgical rites for the Church – for both the Church of today and for the Church of tomorrow.
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superiors also must recognise that these rights are now firmly established in the law of the Church by the Vicar of Christ himself. It is a treasure that belongs to the whole Catholic Church and which should be widely available to all of Christ’s faithful.
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It is particularly sad where priests are prohibited from celebrating the extraordinary form of the Mass because of restrictive legislative measures which have been taken and which run counter to the Holy Father’s intentions and thus to the universal law of the Church.
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Let me say this plainly: the Holy Father wants the ancient use of the Mass to become a normal occurrence in the liturgical life of the Church so that all of Christ’s faithful – young and old – can become familiar with the older rites and draw from their tangible beauty and transcendence.
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Summorum Pontificum has also provided for the Liturgy of the Word to be proclaimed in the vernacular without being first read by the celebrant in Latin. Today’s Pontifical Mass, of course, will have the readings solemnly chanted in Latin, but for less solemn celebrations the Liturgy of the Word may be proclaimed directly in the language of the people.
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I am aware that the response of the Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei” with regard to the observance of Holy Days of obligation has caused a certain amount of disturbance in some circles. It should be noted that the dates of these Holy Days remain the same in both the Missal of 1962 and the Missal of 1970. When the Holy See has given the Episcopal Conference of a given country permission to move certain Holy Days to the following Sunday, this should be observed by all Catholics in that country. Nothing prevents the celebration of the Feast of the Ascension, for example, on the prior Thursday, but it should be clear that this is not a Mass of obligation and that the Mass of the Ascension should also be celebrated on the following Sunday. This is a sacrifice which I ask you to make with joy as a sign of your unity with the Catholic Church in your country.
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Please be patient with us: we are very few and there is much work to be done. And there are many questions to be studied and sometimes we may make mistakes!
15 comments:
The NLM site also points to the Cardinal's homily given in the Cathedral. However it is in 'pdf' which I am unable to get.
Does anyone know what other site may have the Cardinal's homily on so that I may read it? Although the accoustics seemed perfect for the sublime music, I found his spoken words less clear and would like to be able to read what he said.
The use of the vernacular for the Epistle and Gospel in the "old" Mass does not appear to be mandated, merely "provided for" : they "may be proclaimed in the language of the people". (Note: it still doesn't say in what way, or by whom, the Epistle may be proclaimed.)
It would be, I think, pastorally insensitive to impose a universal usage. The thing should be left to find its own level, so to speak, according to local custom.
I rather think this will remain the custom in Francophone countries, but will not become the custom in Anglophone countries.
I personally am comfortable with both usages.
The difference in custom between one country and another seems perfectly legitimate (and I see even the SSPX observes the difference).
But it is an area of acute pastoral sensitivity.
Proclaiming readings in vernacular may be good here in view of making people to visit, understand and love the Old Mass. Especially Low Mass. It may be too difficult to follow, may seem to unusual and not so superficially psychologically appealing, much work must be done. I imagine in some cases there might even be a commentator speaking and explaining (in vernacular) from time to time what is occurring. I like the practice of making short comments during the mass at the most solemn holiday masses in Moscow (New Order, in Russian of course, but with inserts in Latin), attracting many Russian Orthodox and tourists. The issue is tyhat the comments must be very carefully prepared.
Unfortunately I was not able to be present at the Mass. Distance from Westminster and not been able to find a supply priest for Parish duties made it impossible. I am delighted that you have provided a summary of the homily of the Cardinal. It is indeed good news to hear what he has to say. I remember when I was in the seminary in Rome going to several Masses in the Extra-Ordinary form celebrated by priests of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter and when the Rector found out he was far from pleased. It is wonderful to know that the Holy Father supports so strongly the Traditional Latin Liturgy and let us hope and pray for a wide usage her in our country. Thank you Father for wonderful coverage of the event. Much appreciated.
"Summorum Pontificum has also provided for the Liturgy of the Word to be proclaimed in the vernacular without being first read by the celebrant in Latin. Today’s Pontifical Mass, of course, will have the readings solemnly chanted in Latin, but for less solemn celebrations the Liturgy of the Word may be proclaimed directly in the language of the people."
We therefore have **already** since SP, two innovations foisted on the Tridentine Rite, the new prayer for the Jews and now readings in the vernacular. WHAT HORRORS WILL BE NEXT???
..er the answer to that one lies of course in Sacrosanctum Concilium, and Benedict appears to be demonstrating that the ER is not dead but lives and is implementing *at last* the fine tuning which the Second Vatican Council actually mandated. Alleluia.
(I hope we dont have to have bidding prayers though- or at least if we do they are, as SC intended fixed prayers like the Good Friday bidding prayers, not
"We pray that people will stop emitting so much carbon dioxide"
"Lord Graciously hear us starting with you.")
Paul,
Vernacular readings are simply an optional proposal. For a Novus Ordo congregation getting acquainted with the EF, this could be good thing.
VII opted for development of the liturgy, even Abp Lefebvre accepted vernacular readings, and some tweaking.
I think Rome permitting organic development is different from the Consillium's imposed slash and burn approach.
Sorry,
I was trying to attempt satire (and obviously failed). I'm all in favour of vernacular readings in the EF, and all in favour of B16 finetuning the Ef as actually mandated in Sacrosanctum Concilium.
:-)
Sorry Paul, I just skimmed your comment.
But Sunday Mass at Fontgombault has "biddings" after the homily.
I dislike them in either form - must do post.
But Sunday Mass at Fontgombault has "biddings" after the homily.
Was it the conventual mass? If it was, then it was most probably the 1965 Missal they used and not 1962. All private masses are in the 1962 rite.
I once attended a Missa Cantata celebrated very piously by a wonderful priest. The whole congregation spontaneously joined in singing the Pater Noster. The effect was very, very moving. I know it is allowed but how often does it happen? That's what constitutes " organic development" in my view.
Hi Father,
Someone once told me the story of a church in the early 1970s which decided to let members of the laity stand up and make up their own bidding prayers on the spot (seen as creative and progressive and actuoso participo)
Apparently it didn't last long. One day someone stood up and said "Let us pray for the return of the Tridentine Mass"
Yes, I (many years ago) found myself attending novus ordo liturgies with ex tempore (and interminable) bidding prayers. I used to bring them to a halt by saying "Lord, grant us the gift of silence." It always did the trick.
OOH Paul. I'm very annoyed I didn`t think of that. I will try it at the next available open-mike spot-after-the homily-opportunity. Cheers.
The comments on Holy Days would appear to enable schools to continue to observe the feasts on the days assigned in the Missal in the ordinary form too. My comment here.
I'm glad that it is possible to celebrate the Holy Days on their assigned days as many of our children sadly only experience Mass when brought by their school.
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