This weekend the revised liturgy is being introduced in Roman Catholic parishes across the English-speaking world. It is the first time that the English version of the mass has been revised since it was introduced after Vatican Council II. One of the major changes in Catholic religion made at that council in the 1960s was conducting worship in the language of the lay people. Incidentally, this was a very old issue at the time which got its start during the Protestant Reformation.
Many Catholics in America and Europe believe that this revised English liturgy simply re-introduces ideas and language from the old Latin liturgy; that it is a triumph for conservative Catholics who would like to erase the changes resulting from Vatican II. Bishop Donald Trautman, former chairman of the U.S. bishops' committee on liturgy was quoted in USA Today earlier this week labeling the new liturgy "elitist" and incomprehensible to the average Catholic. He sees its introduction as prelude to a "pastoral disaster."
Much of the change in the liturgy involves the insertion of English translations of the old, Latin mass. There is a line-by-line comparison available on line if you want to see all of the details, most of which is obscure to anyone not trained in theology and church history. It includes more direct statements of a number of ideas that were never officially removed from Catholic theology, but have been largely ignored by pastors and people in recent decades.
This event demonstrates how difficult it is for religious institutions to reform themselves. Tradition has a power all its own. The center of gravity seems to always shift away from the "new thing" that the Holy Spirit may be calling God's people to and back to the old paths. The Catholic Church is not the only religion that suffers from this disability.
I wonder how genY is going to react to this. As it seems that at least a segment of the emerging generation tends to value ancient mysteries and practices. A latin mass could appear as the next new-ancient mystery. In your opinion, could it be that the Catholic church did their homework and it is taking advantage of this reality?
Posted by: Gianluca | November 26, 2011 at 06:52 AM
What ideas does the news mass reinforce that had been ignored for years?
Posted by: Andrew | December 03, 2011 at 03:37 AM
Good observations! The new mass is generally seen as more traditional, less grace-oriented and giving more visibility to traditions that Protestants generally do not accept. I have been told by friends of mine in the Catholic church (researchers) that, indeed, there was considerable study of attitudes in the pew and among young adults that went into this decision. But most believe that the real motivation is from an older generation that is still reacting to Vatican II, seeking to role back innovations made at that time. My reading of the new liturgy is that it does not give as much emphasis to the mystical aspects or the deeply spiritual as it does to the traditional. I would guess that most Catholic young adults will not understand a lot of what is going on with these changes. The differences are not very obvious to contemporary minds.
Posted by: Monte | December 09, 2011 at 07:47 AM
"In addition to the revised translation of some familiar Mass prayers, the new Missal contains prayers for the observances of recently canonized saints, additional prefaces for the Eucharistic Prayers, additional Votive Masses and Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions, and some updated and revised rubrics (instructions) for the celebration of the Mass. New musical settings have been composed, and pew cards to help with the transition are in place."
http://old.usccb.org/romanmissal/
If you click the video, you will hear the committee chair mention 'tradition' alot. On the right there are a series of three 'introductory videos' to the new missal. I only skimmed them (15 min each), but even in skimming, two phrases kept coming up: "that tradition (words/song/prayer) reaches as far as... and we are reclaiming it" and "this helps us get deeper into the sacredness of... (Eucharist, mass, prayer)"
Thought it was interesting in light of some of your discussion.
Posted by: Andrew Clark | January 25, 2012 at 09:57 PM