MOTU PROPRIO ON THE LATIN LITURGY: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
So I waited until the embargo was lifted from this document in order to comment on it and if I can say just one thing let it be this: Everyone, take a deep breath and relax. The Pope did not just undo Vatican II, nor did he equate the Roman Missal of 1962 with the Roman Missal of 1970. The Mass as celebrated around the world for the past nearly forty years remains the ordinary way most folks will experience the Liturgy. The Pope has made it easier for those who are especially attracted to the Tridentine Mass (1962 style) to experience it, but here's the buzz: expect a flurry of excitement and then a continuation of the Liturgy as most Catholics have known it for the past several decades. In fact, this document may even help the vernacular Liturgy be done with more grace and transcendence.
A close look at the Motu Proprio shows how the Pope wishes to enable those who have a close affinity to the Tridentine Mass to experience such a liturgy.
- First, he allows priests to celebrate a private Mass according to the Roman Missal of 1962 without a congregation when they wish with the exception of the Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday).
- Second, he allows the faithful who spontaneously request to attend such a Mass, even though it is private.
Hopefully that will take care of the need, but if not then:
- Third, if there is an established group in a parish that has an affinity for that liturgy, the pastor is to provide them an opportunity to experience that liturgy publicly in a way that does not conflict with the ordinary pastoral care of the parish. Mass on the weekdays and one Mass for the Sunday Obligation is permitted, as well as special occasions. Bumping an Novus Ordo Mass for a Tridentine one does not seem to be envisioned. These Masses would be in addition to the ordinary parish celebrations.
- Fourth, a pastor is to accede to the request of parishioners for other sacraments to be celebrated in Latin according to the pre-Vatican II rites.
- Fifth,those that say these Masses must be "worthy" and not "impeded by law". Looks like while the Bishop will have nothing to say about who can celebrate a private Mass, he will have much discretion to determine who is "worthy" to celebrate a public one. That will ensure that the Latin liturgy will be done correctly.
- If a pastor or parish cannot accomodate a real need, the Bishop can set up a new parish to handle such a need.
- Finally, if all else fails, contact Rome and Rome will try to help.
Obviously, some overly zealous priests and laypeople might interpret this as a roll back the clock moment. Nothing could be further from the Pope's mind. He says in his introductory letter to the bishops that experiencing the Mass according to the Roman Missal of 1962 entails some knowledge and understanding of Latin, something which will not be very prevalent. The Pope, basically, is granting a favor. He wants those who love the old Liturgy to enjoy it without being on the fringe. But at the same time, he wants to allay fears that Mass "as we know it today" is done for. Not a chance. He's saying the Church is big enough to have two experiences of the same Mass. While there are not gazillions of people clamoring for the Latin Liturgy, there are enough that, for the sake of unity, he wants to make them feel at home again. Will that make others feel less at home? Hope not. Whether you are conservative or liberal, don't use this decision to divine the future direction of the Church. Pope Benedict isn't seeing it that way, so why should any of us? Let's see how this all plays out, and if everyone keeps their wits about themselves, doomsday scenarious and restorationist talk will never concretely materialize. Instead, all of us who love the Catholic faith will worship the same Christ, whether in Latin or the vernacular.
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