To what extent may the prayers and ceremonial actions of the usus antiquior be used in the celebration of Mass according to the Missal of Pope Paul VI? Examples of some elements being used by Archbishop Ranjith and Pope Benedict XVI seem to contradict in practice the idea that such enrichment is forbidden. An often quoted text from Notitiae, which discouraged the use of traditional elements, is examined and found wanting, especially in the light of Summorum Pontificum, which is considered in terms of its application to the celebration of the newer form of Mass. The enhancement of the newer form of Mass by the addition of elements from the usus antiquior is distinguished from arbitrary deformation of the liturgy and from the imposition of the priest’s personal whims. Some possible future practical developments are outlined.
The article is copyrighted but I am allowed to put a copy on my own website so here is a link to the full text. You can download it to read at home etc., but it would be against the terms of copyright that I have agreed for you to post the whole article on your blog. You can, of course, quote from it within reason. The citation is
Usus Antiquior, Vol. 2 No. 1, January, 2011, 61–68and you can subscribe here.
I'm very grateful to Dr Laurence Hemming for reviewing and accepting the article. He is currently combining editing Usus Antiquior with his new role as captain of a squad at his rowing club in Mortlake, where he’s training hard in an eight for the coming racing season on the Thames.
Rowing is probably a healthy diversion from traditionalist concerns; but you can never be entirely safe. See, for example, the Thames Traditional Rowing Association who promote the sport of fixed seat rowing and sculling on the River Thames in Waterman’s Cutters based on boats used in London in the 1700s.
Later I was wondering whether the coxless fours might count as sedevacantists but that is probably getting a bit silly.
22 comments:
Dear Fr Tim,
Thank you for your excellent article. However, I should point out that reference 13 refers to GIRM 257, when the correct reference is 275.
Thank you for reading the article so carefully. However, the reference in the text does say "275a".
A most interesting article, Father, thank you for making it available to us non-subscribers!
I wholeheartedly agree with your observations. I might also add that certain extra-rubrical things are routinely done by both clergy and laity which already seems to be a hang-on from the older form, e.g. the sign of the cross at "misereatur vestri omnipotens Deus et dimissis peccatis tuis perducat te ad vitam aeternam" - this is not, I think, in the N.O. rubrics, but is probably the natural instinct transferred from the sign of the cross made by the ministers at "indulgentiam, absolutionem etc". Sensus fidelium!!
My question is whether you would apply the same argument to using elements of the pre-1962 Missal. It seems to me that the notion of not prohibiting what previous generations have held as sacred could be used as a justification for e.g. bows to the altar cross or the third confiteor? I have never quite agreed with those who claim that such things are in the same order as the Fr. Folkmass liturgy (the pre-Pian Holy Week is a different matter of course).
Perhaps mutual enrichment between pre-1962 and 1962 is not a discussion we need to have just yet, but it seems from traddy blogs that it is becoming more of an issue as people discover not just the riches of the usus antiquior but also the treasures of usus etiam antiquiores!
Thanks for your article.
1. If the examples and suggestions of enrichment mentioned in the article are implemented, and eventually become the norm, it begs the question 'what is the point of the Novus Ordo when it will be considerably similar to the traditional rite?' Why not just have the traditional rite
2. It seems that such enrichment is a gradual way of getting people used to, or back to, the traditional rite. However, it does not seem proper to 'use' the Novus Ordo of ends other than the worship of God.
3. The 'mutual' bit is a bit thin. There is lots about how the traditional rite can enrich the modern rite, but not much the other way round. It was not clear to me if you were suggesting that the traditional rite could be celebrated in the vanacular or not?
4.I know you have recently written someone on it, but having the Scripture readings and the Gospel facing the congregation seems to make sense - it is the Good News to be preached, rahter than only the sermon being the didatic moment. In the absence of a deacon, how about a layman reading, as suggested by Bishop Schneider? In the case of Low Mass with a congregation, perhaps the responses by the altar server could be given by the congregation?
Thanks, Father, for directing us to your well composed and thoroughly balanced article.
As one from the generations of priests denied the Church's requirement that they be tutored in the Latin language at seminary (I'm now struggling to learn sufficient to celebrate with reasonable competence and understanding), I was particularly encouraged by your suggestion that the UA might be celebrated in English.
Thank you for your article. The suggestions in it remind me of the transitional 1966 missal--yes, I am old enough to remember it! Perhaps allowing a version of that missal could be bridge between the two forms while we are in this transitional period.
Apostolate of the Laity - thank you for your considered comments. I'll answer briefly since you have taken the trouble to ask.
1. Yes, frankly, I would be happy with just the traditional rite with the limited reforms of Sacrosanctum Concilium as an option.
2. Not really a case of instrumentalising the Novus Ordo, just trying to suggest ways to improve our liturgy in general.
3. The key enrichment that the Novus Ordo has given us is to eradicate the rushed and garbled 15 minute Masses. I wholeheartedly approve of this good development. I was suggesting that for those who celebrate Mass in English and cannot use Latin, the older form in Latin would be a good option.
4. There is a lot of work to be done on the place of the "readings" at Mass. Are they actually didactic or are they meant to be chanted as an act of worship?
4.
@ Father Finigan
Congratulations on having this great article published in the latest edition of Usus Antiquior.
It will challenge the very best minds, and your recent 'Dies albi signanda lapillo' to 'Dies albo signanda lapillo' moment proved that you are human, and not beyond constructive criticism.
I'm sure that St Thomas Aquinas the Church's greatest theologian and philosopher would have approved.
"Jam lucis orto sidere"
Our Lady of the Rosary pray for us!
"I would be happy with just the traditional rite with the limited reforms of Sacrosanctum Concilium as an option"
When can we look forward to Mass being celebrated in that way at Blackfen?
You mention the genuflections before the elevations. But what about the powerful symbolism of the priest keeping "canonical fingers" from the consecration to the ablutions? Many years ago, I knew an old priest who retained this gesture in the novus ordo; it makes perfect sense if you belive in the Real Presence (and made a big impression on me as a youngster). I can not understand why His Holiness does NOT lead with such small, permissible and profoundly significant gestures i his celebrations of the NO; e.g. the double genuflection pre- and post-elevation; keeping canonical fingers. And, to be frankly critical, I did not observe him bowing at the mention of the Holy Name during his recent UK visit.
The rushed and garbled mass can be found in the NO masses in Ireland. Mass there is said in double quick time!
Father,
Wonderful article!! May I be permitted a question?
If the mutual enrichment of the Mass of John XXIII would lead to more parts in the vernacular, wouldn't we get to the Mass of 1965?
Not that I would object. That was my Mass as a fledgling altar boy.
Rowing has played a part in the history of Catholicism in Southwark.
William Theodore Cardinal Heard, a convert and a proud Scotsman despite being ordained priest for Southwark. He was a curate at Most Holy Trinity,Dockhead, Bermondsey 1921-27 under PP Edward Canon Murnane.
Educated at Fettes and Balliol,1903-7, Cardinal Heard captained the Balliol eight and gained his Blue in the 1907 Boat Race.
It is undoubtedly safe to say that the future Dean of the Sacred Roman Rota is the only person ever to attain cardinalatial rank within the Roman Catholic Church whose precise measured weight was ever carefully monitored over a period of some months by discerning readers of the rather quaintly entitled “Sports Intelligence” section of The Times.
On 24 November 1906 readers were informed of the first trials held for the Oxford eight to contest the 1907 Boat Race. The report stated that the President, Mr L E Jones (Balliol), had “succeeded in selecting two crews of fairly even merits.” Mr H T Heard (sic), the report later added, rowed in the bow of Mr Chadwyck-Healy’s boat and reportedly weighed 11st 1lb. Mr Heard’s boat lost by a couple of yards, but nonetheless he was selected for the final trials and was still involved when the hopefuls for the Oxford eight started serious training early in January of 1907.
The Times reported on the 19th that “Mr Heard rowed at number 7” and weighed 11st. 3lb. The experienced Blue rowing stroke that day in training, and who would eventually do the same in the Boat Race itself, bore a famous family name: Mr AC Gladstone!
A week later ― who knows, perhaps as a result of a dissolute student lifestyle for he was not yet a priest and remained still a member of the Scottish Episcopal Church; Anglicans in sporrans ― Mr Heard's weight had actually gone up, despite his being in serious training, by half of a pound to 11st 3½lb.
When the big day dawned on a freezing cold mid-March Saturday morning, The Times recorded that he was ― presumably a lean, strong, fit and healthy ― 11st 1lb.
Alas, the Cambridge eight was to prevail. The reasons were gone into in great detail and at some length in The Times. The result was regarded as partly attributable to a combination in the Cambridge boat of greater experience and more weight. Cambridge also got off to a better start in the difficult conditions ― the Oxford boat, it was reported, was pointing somewhat in the wrong direction at the off.
Another most important aspect in the Cambridge triumph was the “brilliant coxing” from which they benefited. There was, too, illness in the Oxford crew. Suffering from a fever, the number 5, a Mr Gillan, lost about half a stone in weight in the 24 hours leading up to the off. At the off, he was running a temperature of 102˚F and had to be “doctored with a strengthening tonic”. Of what, we are not told.
No matter the reasons, young Mr Heard both gained his Blue in rowing, and learned a salutary lesson in humility. Three years later, on 9 August 1910, he was received into Holy Mother Church at Farm Street by Fr Stanislaus St John SJ (himself also a convert). Another three years later he enrolled at the Venerabile on 26 October 1913.
Garfield - yes, keeping the fingers joined after the consecration is a small but significant gesture. It also reminds the priest to concentrate on giving due reverence to the sacred species.
Hughie - thanks very much for your fascinating comment on Cardinal Heard. He was for a while at Sydenham, a parish in which I served a couple of years as a curate. People still remembered him.
Very interesting article.
About your vernacular possibility, which would IMHO be a serious boost for those of us in the pews, (as long it is not an ICEL like translation, of course)
I have some references to a Vernacular Mass and a so-called Dialogated Mass, legal in Germany at least in the fifties. I have but a reference in a Brokhaus Encyclopedia of that time. ¿Could they serve also as models beside the 65 missal
I have dim recollections of it, and above all, the pain (and whatnot, hate) i suffered as the 70' was established.
(strange how an 8 years old can feel the error ...)
¿Does anybody can find an online copy of the 65 missal (in Spanish, English or German transaltion, pls.)?
Oops. I forgot, I've seen some Opus Dei priests using the old finger position (at least during the 90's, with the NO mass
Fr,
Apologies. As a proofreader I find that very humiliating! I looked and looked at it... maybe I'm dyslexic!
Your article is simply excellent. I suspect that if the day comes when most priests are celebrating Mass in both forms, the influence will be natural enough without any planning needed. Indeed, this could allow the Holy Ghost, rather than committees and individual priests, to bring the two forms together.
I would also love to hear of more examples of the Holy Father’s subtle liturgical practices. For example, I believe I once saw him make the crosses with the bread and wine at the offertory, and with the Sacred Species at the Communion. But it’s hard to tell on Vatican telecasts.
Many thanks JBAS.
@ Fr. Finigan:
I was wondering if it is possible for my local Una Voce group to translate the most important paragraphs into Portuguese and then post them on our blog.
Mark - I think that is OK so long as they are indicated as quotations and the citation is given.
Many thanks indeed for your interest in the article.
@ The Grand Inquisitor & @ Father Finigan too
After I left the following message on The Grand Inquisitor's blog 'some maculate conconceptions' the blog disappeared :
vesper has left a new comment on the post ""The Pope is the holiest man in the world"":
@ The Grand Inquisitor
The Pope should be the best connected man in the world though. How he uses the information he receives will decide whether or not he is the holiest man in the world.
I saw your comment on the Father Finigan's blog The hermeneutic of continuity i.e The Grand Inquisitor has left a new comment on the post "My article on Mutual Enrichment for Usus Antiquior..."
Can you explain?
Fr,
Apologies. As a proofreader I find that very humiliating! I looked and looked at it... maybe I'm dyslexic!
Someone once described me as mildly dyslexic I disagreed, and said "that the only people who don't make spelling mistakes are those who don't do any work".
Post a comment.
Unsubscribe to comments on this post.
Posted by vesper to some maculate conceptions at 11 February 2011 02:27
Post a Comment