Today beginning at 12:30 pm here in Washington at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, a Solemn High Pontifical Mass in the Extraordinary Form will be celebrated in the Great Upper Church. For those unfamiliar with all the Church jargon of the previous sentence let me decode. The “extraordinary Form” of the Mass is the form of the Mass as it was celebrated prior to 1965 when Liturgical changes brought about the Mass as we have it today. Prior to these changes the Mass was celebrated exclusively in Latin with only the homily (and sometimes the readings) in English or whatever the local language was. The celebrant also faced in the same direction as the people which some have wrongfully described as the priest “having his back to the people.” To say this is a “Solemn High” Mass means that all the ceremonial options are observed. There is incense, extra candle bearers, and many of the prayers and readings of the liturgy are sung. The celebrant is also assisted by a deacon and subdeacon. To say this is a pontifical Mass means that it will be celebrated by a bishop and will include two extra deacons and an assisting priest. Bishop Edward Slattery of Tulsa is today’s celebrant.
via blog.adw.org
I think this is an excellent sign. The first time in decades that this has happened. As a sojourner for most of the 12 years since my return to the Church I have been restless going from parish to parish. At first most places felt warm and open but after a few years or in some cases several months I would feel restless again--- like something didn't feel quite right. Finally, one day I realized what was lost was the feeling of holiness--- or today what I would call the loss of the sense of the sacred.
Going to church, I realized, felt more like going to a social club. Before Mass there was so much chatter and laughter (in the sanctuary)that one could not pray or recollect themselves in preparation for the Great Mysteries we are privileged to participate in.
Soon little things jumped out at me. I felt like the liturgy was more a performance and the priest was the star performer. Fellow parishioners chose Mass according to who was going to be center stage or who was doing the music. I noticed that the hymns we sung tended to be more about us. Rather than praising God we would be singing with, as the author of this article says Good Hymns, Bad Hymns "a vibe of self-congratulation. Here we are, Lord, doing your thing. Ain't we special?"
Not that Latin is a magic shot that restores the Liturgy but there is some thing to be said preserving Latin for sacred use. Just as we use our fancy china and crystal for special occasions and special guests (imagine a Whitehouse dinner on chinet plates with solo cups and plastic silverware!!!) using a sacred language elevates the occasion beyond the mundane. It is an immediate reminder that we no longer belong to this world--- that we are privileged to be members of the Heavenly Kingdom sojourning here on earth for a while.
It is not that I am some liturgy expert what happened is I finally found a parish 2 1/2 years ago where I stopped feeling restless. Where I felt going to Mass was about worshiping God--- not about celebrating ourselves or being at a stage show. I also realized it had a lot to do with the very things that changed so dramatically after the second Vatican Council.
1. The priest and the people face the same direction towards the east(at least liturgical east) the direction we expect Jesus to come from when he returns. The priest isn't the center of the liturgy. We are participating with him--- not watching a show.
2. The Choir is behind us--- not up front as the back-up band to the priest.
3. We have a Communion rail---further emphasizing the sacredness of what happens up on the altar. Aside from those who can't--- almost everyone kneels and receives on the tongue--- BY CHOICE.
4. Last but certainly not least both forms of the Roman Rite are celebrated there. Even in the ordinary form Latin is reserved for parts of the Mass. It is not confusing, difficult or distracting--- after a few weeks you don't even need to look them up in the missal--- and since the Latin is used for parts of the Mass everyone knows well (Gloria, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, memorial acclimation) there is no need for translation since you already know what you are saying from the English versions.
These are just a few of my perceptions after finding my parish home--- the other one which surprised me at first--- it isn't just a bunch of old fogies like me who were raised on the "old" Mass--- it is mainly young people and young families--- many of whom had never participated in the Tridentine Mass--- IOW's they sought it out and found it more enriching than the reformed Masses they grew up on.
So while it is not as simple as bringing back the "old" Mass--- The popularity of Latin and the Extraordinary Form, especially among younger generations, shows that the "reform of the reform" is not only needed but well under way.
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