From a reader:
Fr. Z: I’m a Junior at ___ in the Television Department. I’ve stumbled upon your blog a few times, and I’ve noticed that you celebrate the Latin Mass. (Tridentine?)
I have a question for you. I’ve witnessed a big debate over how whether or not the Novus Ordo Mass is being followed how it was intended upon it’s release post-Vatican II. If it’s one’s opinion that it is NOT, what could be done to follow it more correctly, and why aren’t parishes with priests who support that viewpoint putting those things into practice, rather than using both the "incorrect" Novus Ordo and the "way better" Tridentine?
Hmmm….
What the Council Fathers wanted for a reform is definitely NOT what we got. Nevertheless, what we got wasn’t actually followed correctly in most places.
The key to celebration of any of the Church’s liturgies is simply to…
We should stick to the books, that is, the texts and the rubrics. Just do what Holy Church asks.
It’s that simple.
Don’t make it up. Don’t change it around. Just do what the Church asks.
The sacred action of the liturgy is very powerful, because the true Actor is really Jesus Christ the High Priest, … provided we get out of the way.
Two things which will help.
First, the new translation we are waiting for. The language of the Novus Ordo as it stands now is appalling.
Second, priests should learn how to celebrate the older form of Mass! Learn the TLM! That will help a priest’s ars celebrandi and give him deep insights into who he is at the altar and what Holy Mass really is. Learn the older form will affect the way he celebrates the Novus Ordo.
I suppose at this point some people will want to jump in an say "make the Novus Ordo better by getting rid of it". Since we know that is not going to happen anytime soon… keep it to yourself. I will probably delete your comments and kick you off the blog for a while. The point here is how to make the Novus Ordo better.
