A comment by Martin Luther foretold the end of the church if the mass is taken away. The battle pitting the traditional catholic mass and the new mass seems to become the next battle front. It is billed to be a controversy with the potential of splitting Catholics down the middle. Several leaders over the years have voiced their concern with different views depending on individual inclination and formation background.
Vatican II was pivotal in instituting the new order of Eucharistic celebration. Those supporting the previous order are concerned that the ecumenism introduced has led to falsification of faith. It has diluted the belief and created a new look church, different from what has existed over centuries. Restrictions should be placed on implementation of these proposals since they are taking the church in the wrong direction.
The desire to modernize the liturgy is not monopolized by the current generation. History has it that St. Athanasius was faced with the same quest in the fourth century. His letter to the faithful helped to stop a wave that sort to change the status. He encouraged Catholics to remain faithful to tradition and resist the urge to adopt practices that would cripple the body of Christ.
Supporters of Trindentine, as it is referred to, resist the changes introduced by the new version. Their argument is that years of building a tradition should not be washed away in one declaration. The reasons for this change remain a mystery among conservatives. They consider the regard of the pope as Extraordinary Magisterium and the obligation to obey him blindly as the sources of trouble.
It is worth noting that the new version did not invalidate the old one. The findings of a commission formed by the pope direct that the old version can still be followed. There are structural differences that are worth noting. They are distinctive and separate the old version from the new one.
The priest began his Eucharistic celebration in the sacristy by blessing water with salt. It was to be sprinkled to congregant during the entry procession. Vestments for the main celebrant differed from those of his co-celebrants. There was a distinct psalm to signal the beginning of Eucharistic celebrations.
The priest placed the chalice on the credence table upon reaching the altar. This was performed with the back on congregants. This position is also adopted by altar servers, deacons and co-celebrants. It is considered a major departure since with the current version, the priest and his team faces the congregants. A set antiphon is recited before the sign of the cross.
A lot of changes were instituted regarding the communion. It was only administered by priests. In the current version, lay people and revered nuns are allowed to administer. People knelt when receiving and it was only received using the tongue and not hands. The removal of tabernacles from the center is another drastic departure that has raised eyebrows among conservatives. It appears like dilution of the centrality of communion for the Catholic faithful.
The debate on introduction of modernism is controversial with questions on whether it has led to a warmer and more vibrant church. Questions linger on why these changes did not increase vocations or lead to growth in congregational numbers. The introduction of the new version is questioned since there was no crisis that necessitated the move. Statistics indicate a drastic decline that is getting out of hand. The question is whether reverting to the traditional order would reverse the decline.
Vatican II was pivotal in instituting the new order of Eucharistic celebration. Those supporting the previous order are concerned that the ecumenism introduced has led to falsification of faith. It has diluted the belief and created a new look church, different from what has existed over centuries. Restrictions should be placed on implementation of these proposals since they are taking the church in the wrong direction.
The desire to modernize the liturgy is not monopolized by the current generation. History has it that St. Athanasius was faced with the same quest in the fourth century. His letter to the faithful helped to stop a wave that sort to change the status. He encouraged Catholics to remain faithful to tradition and resist the urge to adopt practices that would cripple the body of Christ.
Supporters of Trindentine, as it is referred to, resist the changes introduced by the new version. Their argument is that years of building a tradition should not be washed away in one declaration. The reasons for this change remain a mystery among conservatives. They consider the regard of the pope as Extraordinary Magisterium and the obligation to obey him blindly as the sources of trouble.
It is worth noting that the new version did not invalidate the old one. The findings of a commission formed by the pope direct that the old version can still be followed. There are structural differences that are worth noting. They are distinctive and separate the old version from the new one.
The priest began his Eucharistic celebration in the sacristy by blessing water with salt. It was to be sprinkled to congregant during the entry procession. Vestments for the main celebrant differed from those of his co-celebrants. There was a distinct psalm to signal the beginning of Eucharistic celebrations.
The priest placed the chalice on the credence table upon reaching the altar. This was performed with the back on congregants. This position is also adopted by altar servers, deacons and co-celebrants. It is considered a major departure since with the current version, the priest and his team faces the congregants. A set antiphon is recited before the sign of the cross.
A lot of changes were instituted regarding the communion. It was only administered by priests. In the current version, lay people and revered nuns are allowed to administer. People knelt when receiving and it was only received using the tongue and not hands. The removal of tabernacles from the center is another drastic departure that has raised eyebrows among conservatives. It appears like dilution of the centrality of communion for the Catholic faithful.
The debate on introduction of modernism is controversial with questions on whether it has led to a warmer and more vibrant church. Questions linger on why these changes did not increase vocations or lead to growth in congregational numbers. The introduction of the new version is questioned since there was no crisis that necessitated the move. Statistics indicate a drastic decline that is getting out of hand. The question is whether reverting to the traditional order would reverse the decline.
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