I have just accidentally deleted half of this post because blogger insists on autosaving every mistake I make. But perhaps I should start by saying "sorry" for not being in my usual blogging state of mind. Perhaps its because I'm tapering off my anti-depressants, or perhaps its because there is some major family turmoil at the moment. Either way, something isn't right, because today I was deeply furious about liturgical abuse within the setting of a Tridentine Mass!!
But maybe all the things swirling around in my head, preventing me from sleeping, stem from the excitement about the upcoming Motu Proprio. Will it really change anything?? Well, suppose the Pope is suggesting that this venerable Rite of Mass is not only allowed to take place, but should also be esteemed and honoured, just as Our Lord and His Sacred Tradition should be adored and venerated. That would be quite something. Suppose this letter gives sufficient impetus for parish priests to not only want to learn the Old Mass, but also say it as part of their ministry to the world... That is a situation I long for. I suspect that the Old Mass will only be said where it is requested. Well, in that case it puts a lot of responsibility on the 1% of Catholics who are attached to this Rite, to talk about it with their friends, to encourage priests they meet, and to be prepared to financially support initiatives to broaden its use.
The most important question is why is any of this necessary? Well, the most fitting worship of Our Lord is something we can see communicated to Humanity throughout the whole of redemption history: from the Israelites to our present-day Church. We can either resign ourselves to the status-quo, that the present state of Western Catholic Worship is Spirit-inspired, or we can look back to how the Worship of the Church has organically evolved and been handed onto us; a treasure aesthetically and artistically. A true thing of beauty which has a certain impenetrable depth which only prayer and wisdom will approach. Many accuse 'Traditionalists' of being elitist. But maybe we, as Catholics, need to regain some positive 'elitism' in terms of the great responsibility God has given us of handing on the Faith to subsequent generations. The Mass in central to this, and I doubt each time I attend an average parish Mass, whether our children will be able to profit anything from the way these sacred mysteries are presented to us. (I perhaps want to distance myself from any reference to the Oratory, since this institution is very much an exception and doesn't represent what I see to be the dominant effect of the New Rite of Mass).
The Motu Proprio will throw up many questions. Perhaps all I can do is get on with my spiritual life and pray about them, rather than let the devil plant doubt and confusion in my mind. The gates of hell shall not prevail, and we must stay rooted to the Rock of Peter, our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.
But maybe all the things swirling around in my head, preventing me from sleeping, stem from the excitement about the upcoming Motu Proprio. Will it really change anything?? Well, suppose the Pope is suggesting that this venerable Rite of Mass is not only allowed to take place, but should also be esteemed and honoured, just as Our Lord and His Sacred Tradition should be adored and venerated. That would be quite something. Suppose this letter gives sufficient impetus for parish priests to not only want to learn the Old Mass, but also say it as part of their ministry to the world... That is a situation I long for. I suspect that the Old Mass will only be said where it is requested. Well, in that case it puts a lot of responsibility on the 1% of Catholics who are attached to this Rite, to talk about it with their friends, to encourage priests they meet, and to be prepared to financially support initiatives to broaden its use.
The most important question is why is any of this necessary? Well, the most fitting worship of Our Lord is something we can see communicated to Humanity throughout the whole of redemption history: from the Israelites to our present-day Church. We can either resign ourselves to the status-quo, that the present state of Western Catholic Worship is Spirit-inspired, or we can look back to how the Worship of the Church has organically evolved and been handed onto us; a treasure aesthetically and artistically. A true thing of beauty which has a certain impenetrable depth which only prayer and wisdom will approach. Many accuse 'Traditionalists' of being elitist. But maybe we, as Catholics, need to regain some positive 'elitism' in terms of the great responsibility God has given us of handing on the Faith to subsequent generations. The Mass in central to this, and I doubt each time I attend an average parish Mass, whether our children will be able to profit anything from the way these sacred mysteries are presented to us. (I perhaps want to distance myself from any reference to the Oratory, since this institution is very much an exception and doesn't represent what I see to be the dominant effect of the New Rite of Mass).The Motu Proprio will throw up many questions. Perhaps all I can do is get on with my spiritual life and pray about them, rather than let the devil plant doubt and confusion in my mind. The gates of hell shall not prevail, and we must stay rooted to the Rock of Peter, our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.
Sorry you are feeling low; I hope it soon passes. It's usually unwise to put nightly fears and fantasies in the public domain. Look, the acceptance of the forthcoming Motu Proprio is not going to be easy. There will, of course, be opponents but the reality is that the majority of Catholics will be indifferent because for them the Tridentine Rite is an unknown rite. In many ways it has come too late to exert much influence but at least the rite will be legitimized and time will tell if it will make any difference. Cathedrals at least throughout the Catholic world should make it available to prove its legitimacy and show to nervous priests that they can use it without censure. Above all, I hope St Peter's in Rome will enable priests to celebrate it openly instead of furtively in an obscure chapel and that the Holy Father will make it freely available in St John Lateran. But none of us can expect an immediate impact, it's too much to ask, and I suspect that, once the media frenzy has passed, things will remain much the same. You are so privileged to have the Birmingham Oratory to hand and I hope, in your future life as a doctor, you will be able to practice your great vocation within easy reach of a church where the Tridentine Rite will be able to give you, Wendy, Maddie and your children to be the spiritual anchorage you richly deserve. Remember, it takes decades for reforms to be fully assimilated and build on what you have and what is possible. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteMatt, do you look at the New Liturgical Movement website? I expect you do, but if you don't there is much to cheer you up at the moment. It offers a great deal of balanced comment and accurate information. Of course, life on the ground is not the same as life in cyberspace but I suspect that in the Archdiocese of Birmingham you are unlikely to find much opposition to the forthcoming Motu Proprio. The Archbishop is keen to be seen on the side of Rome and I don't expect he will raise difficulties. But if you have to move elsewhere you might have to live with something different. Don't get downhearted, it's not worth it.
ReplyDeleteDear Doctor Doyle
ReplyDelete“Be as gentle as a dove and as wise (or “cunning” as older translations have it) as a serpent”: Christ’s words seem very appropriate for the new state of affairs that will follow the issue of the Motu Proprio. Cheerfulness and peace of heart will serve us well at all times. There will probably be no immediately dramatic changes; it is more likely that little by little, the goodness will seep through.
You are doing sterling work, and I am sure you will go from strength to strength. All the best to you and your family.
Dorothy, Clifton diocese.
Thank you kind people!
ReplyDeleteYes, Matt, be at peace. The Devil is bound to strew as much strife as he can over this Motu Proprio. Dorothy is spot on, in time the goodness will seep through.
ReplyDeleteI hope it is not too late to comment on this post. I have just read it after returning from a holiday. The main problem with making the Tridentine Rite more widely available is that it is no longer part of the Church's general worshipping tradition. Or perhaps I should say custom. Presumably that is one reason why the Holy Father describes it as 'extraordinary'. The freedom to celebrate it granted by the forthcoming Motu Proprio will make a difference but, as many are beginning to realize, it is unlikely to make an immediate impact. Perhaps its reception will at first be more noticeable abroad but I suspect that in the United Kingdom it will only slowly be applied and, in the majority of parishes, not applied at all. It is likely that a new generation of priests will celebrate it more widely but only if they are competent to do so. What I hope will happen is that the Bishops Conference will give parishes to the FSSP and similar congregations, thereby saving threatened parishes from closure, and that they will form a base for the general dissemination of the Motu Proprio throughout the country. I realize that this smacks of wishful thinking and will probably not happen but it would provide a way forward to recognizing it. Whatever happens, there won't be a miracle overnight but the great achievement is that the free use of the Tridentine Rite will be authorized by the highest authority in the Church and nobody will be able to argue with that.
ReplyDeleteOh expect a lot of the sins that 'lurked in the mud' to hatch out....
ReplyDeleteIt's perfectly feasible that this could actuate such antagonism that it brings the ongoing civil war within catholicism out of the shadows - many anti-vatican progressives are going to be more likely to show their hand now...
An abject hatred of all that Cardinal Ratzinger stood for was prevalent while I studied in Seminary and University; it's quite possible that a vocal backlash will emerge from the US - a 'we warned you what he was like! The auto-da-fe will be next'.
....but maybe not. His Holiness is subtly admonishing those antagonistic to Our Sacred traditions with a charity that may be reciprocated ?
The progressives have had it all their own way for such a long time [irrespective of the impression they portray of them being persecuted victims] it's quite possible that [ironically] the 'newness' of the old will become an incentive or motivation for them to participate in its promotion /implementation - Technically it is 'utterly new' to many of us - and where pragmatic, situationist cafeteria catholics in the clergy and professional laity see something new or different their eyes light up !
Who knows?
All we know is that today Justice was served. It may have unforeseen consequences but adversity is only adventure seen in the wrong way.
It's a good day; His Holiness did not disappoint.
Thanks be to God.