Strange, violent, and dark forces wish to derail the application of Summorum Pontificum.
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Late last night I received a couple of links to stories concerning rumours circulating that Summorum Pontificum is in danger of being sabotaged. Some bloggers are asking for prayers and fasting to prevent anything like this from happening. The rumours and fears and conspiracy theories seem to have originated with an otherwise credible blog.
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I can't believe how shell-shocked traditionalists remain, despite the fact the Extraordinary Form of Mass has been 'liberated' and permitted by Papal decree - Summorum Pontificum. Just yesterday I posted photos of Cardinal Burke presiding over the ordination of deacons for the Institute of Christ the King. Along with Burke, Cardinal Ranjith is a proponent of the traditional liturgy, as are many other influential prelates, including abbeys and monasteries - traditional safe houses for the liturgy. Such rumours are unsettling and foment suspicion amongst the faithful. This form of liturgical gossip was once limited to seminaries and rectories or chanceries, as well as the whispers in the loggia of the Vatican. It was bad enough then, yet now days, when everyone is an expert, this crap spreads like wildfire across the Internet. And not a few people jump on these stories and use them to criticize anyone who just might happen to adhere to the liturgical reforms of the Novus Ordo - not the abuses of course - but the proper celebration of the Ordinary Form of Mass.
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To my mind this rumour mongering and alarmist fears indicates a lack of faith and trust in God. It is evidence that some uber-Catholics believe they can dictate to others the mind of God - the mind of the Church; that they can force God to arrange everything to their tastes. It is an insult to God to say the Novus Ordo is not a licit Mass, or to rip it apart and condemn it as less holy than the Extraordinary Form. It is akin to saying that the 40 years since the Council, God has abandoned his people - that he left the faithful to wander in the desert. 'What father would give his children stones when they asked for bread?' In effect, some of these traditionalist rebuke God as the Israelites did when they asked, "Is it possible for God to prepare a table in the desert?" God has never abandoned the faithful - he continues to nourish us with the bread of angels - 'conforming to every taste' - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. No one is going to undo Summorum Pontificum.
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In today's Gospel, it strikes me that the Holy Spirit seems to speak to those who would pull Christ aside and rebuke him, saying, "Get behind me... you are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."
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Again - no one is going to undo Summorum Pontificum.
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At the first- and only- EF Mass I ever attended the priest preached exactly that-- that God's people had been wandering in a desert for 40 years, and now that wandering has ended because the old Mass is back.
ReplyDeleteI nearly got up and left.
I've heard that so often it is not funny. They never tire of saying it.
ReplyDeleteIt seems a kind of pride to set oneself up at the arbiter of what is constitutes a valid Mass. If we are loyal to the Vicar of Christ, we look to him in these matters, don't we? Not having been aware of all these divisions prior to my conversion w while back, and presently more aware, it seems that it we look to Rome, we need not burden ourselves with things that do not rightfully belong to us to decide. I think extremes are not good. It also seems that where extremes are, there is a lack of love, and if there is a lack of love, He is not there, right? I place myself among the guilty. This is sort of recent awareness...
ReplyDeleteTer: Great post. I've said before and I'll say again, there is little difference between a prog and a trad-both think they can dictate how things should be done as they see fit.
ReplyDeleteMy word verification is "anfart"
I don't think I belong here.
ReplyDeleteBye! Bye!
Veronica
On a tangential note, I think we should do away with these images that depict Jesus as a bleeding lamb. That's totally not the way He would have looked.
ReplyDeleteInteresting comment @Thom.
I remember reading one comment somewhere - can't remember where - that went on to say that the "reform of the reform" Novus Ordo - that is, a proper celebration of it, with certain parts in Latin, good music, communion rail and so forth - far from inspiring, "only shows what is wrong with the Novus Ordo."
I thought to myself, how could anyone be present at Mass and just think that?
Don't kick down the ladders by which you arrived to where you presently are. We do not always see the hand that sustains us.
It is a handicapped and retarded spirituality indeed that can only pray with the old liturgies.
ReplyDeleteRonnie - many of us feel that way - that's life. Just try getting to Mass - any Mass. ;)
ReplyDeleteAmen Terry--
ReplyDeleteThere are MANY places and missions here in central and southern Utah where they are LUCKY to have a Mass, ANY Mass, once a month..
Look at the mission churches in the remote areas of Africa...underground churches in Saudi Arabia whre NOTHING is out, and you have handouts on a public speaking seminar or some such business topic just in case you get raided by the religious police..
or our fine military chaplains who celebrate Mass in dirty fatigues in a hot dusty tent or out in the open, no church at all..
I guess those aren't real Masses then huh??
I really feel that holks who get so uppity about appearances really need to do a year or so inthe mission field..the Missionaries of Charity could always use some help...or volunteer as a chaplain assistant in Afghanistan..
Sorry..but I'm not a Country Club Catholic..I'll hang out with my humble Trappists in their Quonset hut monastery..
Sara
verification word "shedd"
"...To my mind this rumor mongering and alarmist fears indicates a lack of faith and trust in God..."
ReplyDeleteI entrust this whole matter in the hands of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, “Mother of the Priest par excellence, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and through Him, of all priests in whom she forms her Son”.
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"The same reasoning holds in the case of some persons who are bent on the restoration of all the ancient rites and ceremonies indiscriminately. The liturgy of the early ages is most certainly worthy of all veneration. But ancient usage must not be esteemed more suitable and proper, either in its own right or in its significance for later times and new situations, on the simple ground that it carries the savor and aroma of antiquity. The more recent liturgical rites likewise deserve reverence and respect. They, too, owe their inspiration to the Holy Spirit, who assists the Church in every age even to the consummation of the world.[52] They are equally the resources used by the majestic Spouse of Jesus Christ to promote and procure the sanctity of man".
ReplyDeleteThis is from MEDIATOR DEI
Encyclical of His Holiness Pope Pius XII On the Sacred Liturgy November 20, 1947. It is so beautiful. The more things change the more they remain the same...