My take on Traditionis Custodes... at least for now

Over the last weekend, Catholics from all around the world would have no doubt become aware that the Holy Father has issued a Moto Proprio. It appears that after years of Pope Benedict acknowledging the right of all priests to celebrate Mass in the Extraordinary Form, Pope Francis has decided to revoke this right and impose certain restrictions on the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass. 

Apart from the fact that the Traditional Latin Mass can no longer be celebrated in parishes, the new Moto Proprio dictates that the Diocesan Bishop must give authorisation for any priest to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass, and that the Bishop must only grant such authorisation to clergy and groups who do not deny the validity of Vatican II and the Magisterium.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to accompany a friend of mine to attend a Traditional Latin Mass at a SSPX chapel. While I found the rite to be beautiful, I must admit that what I encountered at that Mass was nothing short of troubling. While I did appreciate the aura of mystery and the fact that the space truly drew the congregation into prayer, I was most bemused by the presider who during his homily did nothing more than slam the teachings of Vatican II. There was no mention of anything related to the scriptures and how the faithful should be applying the tenants of discipleship in their lives. I left thinking that we are no better than those protestant pastors (albeit a minority) who lambast the Catholic Church in their sermons. 

Of course, I can't speak for all of the clergy and laity who attend such Liturgical Celebrations with SSPX, and I am in no way insinuating that the priest I mentioned is a bad person. However, I mention this episode to share that the liturgical wars (so to speak), have been going on for years. Ever since the Norvus Ordo came into being, the people of God have constantly chosen to fight over the Liturgy, the very thing which is supposed to unite us to one another and to the sacrificial love of our God. 

The Traditional Latin Mass is a treasure of the Church, and to be perfectly clear, I am in no way against it. I very much agree with Pope Benedict that it cannot be that what has been sacred for centuries should now be cast aside or made irrelevant. However, for years I have felt that Pope Benedict's intent by allowing the Tridentine Mass to be celebrated by any priest was far from being carried out. As much as there are many Catholics who celebrate the Mass in it's Extraordinary Form and still accept Vatican II as apostolic teaching, many have chosen to reject the council completely and to either slam those who accept the council, or influence those who have no idea what Vatican II even is. Some have even compared the Tridentine Mass to the Norvus Ordo as though they were a steak at a fancy restaurant and a happy meal from McDonalds. 

In fact, just yesterday, I came across a post on Facebook from a SSPX group, which also sought to condemn the teachings Vatican II. The post insinuated that Vatican II was nothing more than the Church's liberal reaction to a world of mordenism, which ought to be frowned upon according to Pope Pius X. The post even claimed that there really is no such thing as two forms of the Mass, but rather they are part of two separate religions. If this isn't a clear example of the discord fostered by some who subscribe to the Tridentine Mass, I don't know what is. 

If we truly wish to be Catholic, we must accept that we hold on to ONE Holy Catholic and Apostolic Faith, which we profess every Sunday. Even though some of us may have issues with Vatican II, or with any of the teachings of the Church, being Catholic demands that we accept them nonetheless. Of course this is not to say that we should remain silent and follow blindly. We should bring these issues to dialouge. But it certainly does not give us the right to reject them and to claim that we know better than Mother Church. Doing so would be an act of pride, which is not just one of the capital sins, but the root of all sins which leads to relationships being fragmented. 

Rather than being upset about the changes (which should be of little importance to anyone who accepts Vatican II and the Magisterium), I believe that this is a good opportunity to discover the beauty which already exists in the Norvus Ordo. As I mentioned in my previous musings, the Norvus Ordo, which is a result of Vatican II is rooted in tradition. In fact, I dare say that when the Norvus Ordo is celebrated in the right manner, it looks more like the Early Church than the Traditional Latin Mass does. 

I've always said that the problem has never been the Norvus Ordo, but the manner in which it is celebrated and the priests who take the allowance for pastoral adaptations out of context. In a good number of parishes, the sanctuary has turned into a stage and the congregation has turned into an audience. With the restrictions imposed on the Traditional Latin Mass (which I admit may come at a cost to those who celebrate the EF but accept the validity of Vatican II, especially because it can no longer be celebrated in parishes), I feel that this is an excellent opportunity to reform the way in which we celebrate the Norvus Ordo. It can be celebrated well, and when done with the right disposition, it draws people into the mystery of Christ just like the Tridentine Mass does. 

And even if we are still upset about the changes, let us bring our feelings to prayer, and pray for the grace to understand, rather than to be understood. This will help us to die to ourselves, so that we constantly remember the most fundamental thing about being a Christian, that it is not about us.