Centuries ago, Martin Luther said that taking away the mass would signal the end of the church. His foresight is best captured in a controversy pitting the traditional catholic mass and the new one. Introduction of this new version has split Catholics into conservatives and modernists. This concern has received attention over the years with contesting views hinged on formation and personal inclination.
Trouble seems to have begun with the implementation of proposals of Vatican II. Conservatives suggest that it led to ecumenism which is equated to false faith. Proponents of this old model suggest that the latest version was a disaster to the Vatican based church. They suggest that it should revert to its old model.
Modernization calls did not begin with the Vatican II. St. Athanasius dealt with similar challenges in the fourth century. He penned a letter to the faithful at that time urging them to resist the dilution that comes with modernization. These changes, in his words, would only cripple the body of Christ.
Proponents of Trindentine were worried about the radical changes that came with the new version. It had taken two thousand years to develop the existing version. The fact that by a stroke of a pen, all this would be changed became a mystery. The faithful has an obligation to follow the pope in his Extraordinary Magisterium.
The entry of a new version did not mean that the old one was to be abandoned. The pope formed a commission that was to advise him on the best way forward. The difference can be felt in the order of mass and arrangement at the altar. These differences make the two versions distinct.
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.
Changes in the administration of the communion also instituted by Vatican II are subjects of controversy. Originally, only the priest administered the communion. It was to be placed on the tongue instead of receiving using hands. Tabernacles were also removed from the center and place on the side. This signaled dilution of the centrality of communion in the lives of Catholics.
The effects of introduction of this new order appear to border a disaster other than helping the church. Since the 1960s, there has been a dramatic decline in numbers within the global Catholic Church. Vocations have also dwindled to a trickle causing concern among the masses. The debate has shifted to the possible effects of reverting to the old order. Conservatives wonder if reverting would reverse this trend.
Trouble seems to have begun with the implementation of proposals of Vatican II. Conservatives suggest that it led to ecumenism which is equated to false faith. Proponents of this old model suggest that the latest version was a disaster to the Vatican based church. They suggest that it should revert to its old model.
Modernization calls did not begin with the Vatican II. St. Athanasius dealt with similar challenges in the fourth century. He penned a letter to the faithful at that time urging them to resist the dilution that comes with modernization. These changes, in his words, would only cripple the body of Christ.
Proponents of Trindentine were worried about the radical changes that came with the new version. It had taken two thousand years to develop the existing version. The fact that by a stroke of a pen, all this would be changed became a mystery. The faithful has an obligation to follow the pope in his Extraordinary Magisterium.
The entry of a new version did not mean that the old one was to be abandoned. The pope formed a commission that was to advise him on the best way forward. The difference can be felt in the order of mass and arrangement at the altar. These differences make the two versions distinct.
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.
Changes in the administration of the communion also instituted by Vatican II are subjects of controversy. Originally, only the priest administered the communion. It was to be placed on the tongue instead of receiving using hands. Tabernacles were also removed from the center and place on the side. This signaled dilution of the centrality of communion in the lives of Catholics.
The effects of introduction of this new order appear to border a disaster other than helping the church. Since the 1960s, there has been a dramatic decline in numbers within the global Catholic Church. Vocations have also dwindled to a trickle causing concern among the masses. The debate has shifted to the possible effects of reverting to the old order. Conservatives wonder if reverting would reverse this trend.
No comments:
Post a Comment