Tridentinisation

The reform of the reform is well under way at the Birmingham Oratory! In fact, the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI's wish that the two forms of the Roman Rite be "mutually enriching" find their fulfilment here! I have written previously on the differences... but things are in constant flux!

Tonight at the High Mass for the feast of the Assumption, in the Ordinary form (Novus Ordo) not only was the 'Liturgy of the Eucharist' in Latin and ad orientem, as is the usual high standard, but the Introductory/Penitential Rite was also said ad orientem silently to the backdrop of the choir's Introit (with preceding processional organ voluntary) in the same way as the Traditional 'prayers at the foot of the altar'.

Also the Canon was silent with seperated Sanctus and Benedictus around a central sung Quam Oblationem and consecration, with sung final doxology (I've always liked the latter).

I believe that hitherto, priests have not felt that they've been able to do these sorts of things - but this sort of organic growth is welcome and necessary to bring out the unique aspects of the Roman Rite, and to preserve the wealth of Sacred Polyphony. The Mass setting tonight was Palestrina's Assumpta est Maria, and there were no moments when ministers were 'hanging around' waiting for the choir to finish its elaborate pieces... Except perhaps the Agnus Dei - which actually gave me wonderful time to say a prayer by St Thomas Aquinas found in the Mass booklet, to prepare for communion. It was fitting to wait at this point and hear the 'Ecce Agnus Dei' as it is a lovely part of the Mass, even though the piece was probably designed to be sung throughout communion.

The Collect and Post-Communion were also said from the celebrant's sedelia, preceded by a 'Dominus Vobiscum' and facing 'North' (or left) which maintains a degree of decorum and reverence which the versus populum posture does not. Overall, the Introductory Rite was less clunky and maintained those unique things from the Old Rite which were sorely missed.

Perhaps now that we have re-established these beautiful features, we will be able to see more clearly the unique aspects of the reformed liturgy which can validly contribute towards the Roman Rite. In his homily, Fr Guy said that humanity's creation was remarkable, but not as splendid as the way God would re-create it in its redemption from its fallen state (or words to that effect - he is much more eloquent than I): It struck me that for all the suffering and crises in the Church and its Liturgy, we can look forward with joyful hope at the magnificent recreation of the glories which were once taken for granted.

Also today, in a little family tradition which Wendy introduced, we crowned our statue of Mary with 12 silver stars (left), to celebrate today's feast and her coronation in heaven.