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Pope weighing changes in Novus Ordo? (Subscribe to RSS Feed)

Rome, Jul. 4, 2008 (CWNews.com) - Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) is considering changes in the Mass, according to an Italian publication.

The weekly Panorama reports that the Holy Father has asked the Congregation for Divine Worship to study the possibility of changes that would include using Latin in the Eucharistic Prayer and moving the Sign of Peace to the Offertory.

Note: CWN has not been able to confirm the accuracy of the Panorama report. The New Liturgical Movement web site, which brought the Italian report to the attention of English-speaking readers, cautioned that the Panorama report should be treated "with great caution." The Panorama story itself suggests only that the Pope has asked for a study of the proposals-- not that he is prepared to implement the changes.

According to the Italian weekly, the Pope is weighing the use of Latin for the formula of Consecration at Mass. He may also be leaning toward the use of Latin in other sacraments.

Pope Benedict has often expressed a desire to enrich the post-conciliar liturgy by incorporating some aspects of older liturgical practices. The proposed changes could be seen as part of that process.

Glossary Terms:

Congregation for Divine Worship

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Posted by: - Jul. 08, 2008 10:32 AM ET USA
Nah, public confession only one confession during your life, not for me! On a serious note, lets look at the liturgy throughout history and not get stuck with only the 1962 version (which differs from what Trent put out). I have read the Holy Father's work before he was elected (and afterward) about liturgy and I like the direction he thinks we should go. Hold on to tradition, do not be afraid of the Novus Ordo, and do both the 62 and Norvus Ordo correctly. Works for me.

Posted by: - Jul. 07, 2008 5:12 PM ET USA
Yes, Anslem, I also want to have Confession & Penance's that was at the time of Justin.

Posted by: - Jul. 07, 2008 12:38 PM ET USA
To comment on Ian's remarks: I wish we could "overemphasize sacredness".. then people might realize that the "bread" they take in their hands is actually Christ's body. Priests' hands used to be consecrated at ordination as they alone were privileged to hold the Body of the Lord.
Not us. I shudder when I see the lack of reverence of some returning from Holy Communion. How welcome would be the return of the altar rail and the use of "Confession" - both sorely needed in our desolate times.

Posted by: - Jul. 07, 2008 8:42 AM ET USA
oh for a John xxiii

Posted by: - Jul. 06, 2008 6:59 PM ET USA
I believe Gregory's choice of words in the first post - "our liturgy" - is an unintentional slip of the keyboard that points to the cause of many of the liturgical abuses that exist today. It is not our liturgy ... it is a gift from God given to the Church to safeguard, not to do anything with it we want.

CatholicDad

Posted by: - Jul. 06, 2008 12:44 AM ET USA
A general informality inappropriate to genunine worship has weakened the sense of the real presence for many Catholics. We may disagree on the particulars--I, for one, think churches that take our kneelers are making a mistake--but surely Benedict has noticed. The increased devotion to Eucharistic adoration among college students is in part a healthy counter-reaction. I'll trust and follow Benedict's eventual directives on this. A good start, however, would be to respect existing rubrics!

Posted by: - Jul. 05, 2008 11:21 PM ET USA
Due to the commentary, here is some tongue and cheek: I think we should go to the Mass as described by Justin Martyr: Communion in hand, venacular, and a sign of peace. Even the Eucharistic Prayer should be used. Wait, oh, that is Eucharistic Prayer II. Hmmm, move the sign of peace to the beginning and then we will have the Mass as described by Justin!

Posted by: - Jul. 05, 2008 5:26 PM ET USA
"The move to 'on the tongue only' is to over-emphasize sacredness to the point where people will feel unworthy and will only receive on special occasions."
I think that would be a good thing, then when they feel unworthy they could go to confession and really be prepared to receive our Lord without mortal sin on thier soul. To many people think the way you do and they are wrong. It is always special and you better be sure you don't have a mortal sin on your soul this would help not hurt.

Posted by: - Jul. 05, 2008 2:43 PM ET USA
Jan, "reverence and awe", being gifts of the Holy Spirit, are ultimately internal. However, what we frequently describe as the "atmosphere" or "ambiance" sets the "tone" for the internal response. A large rock festival most probably does not set a "reverential tone" of "reverence and awe" in the presence of God. As the Word became man so that man might return to the Father at whose right hand He now sits, so sacred liturgy should "set the tone" of "reverence and awe" in His presence.

Posted by: - Jul. 05, 2008 1:46 AM ET USA
Gregory, if you can show me in the Vatican II documents where guitars and tambourines are mandated, I'll accept them in the Tridentine Mass (which was the only Mass celebrated throughout the entire council). But in the mean time, I'll point out that Sacrosanctum Concilium does specifically state that the use of Latin is to be retained. It was never, ever to have disappeared completely.

Posted by: - Jul. 05, 2008 12:22 AM ET USA
I am not certain that enriched would be the term I would use to describe your proposal.

Posted by: - Jul. 04, 2008 10:54 PM ET USA
While unlike Pius X schismatics, I recognize the legitimacy of the Novus Ordo Mass, I do not agree that it was a prudent change, and in fact would welcome any changes that restore it or bring it into closer alignment with the 1962 Mass of John XXIII. A major improvement would be the return to communion only on the tongue, and a more widespread adherence to the Vatican's direction to use extraordinary ministers of communion only in extraordinary circumstances.

Posted by: - Jul. 04, 2008 10:12 PM ET USA
I'd rather see the prayers such as the Our Father and the Lamb of God in Latin, so we can pray as one no matter where we are.

Posted by: - Jul. 04, 2008 6:41 PM ET USA
At the Vatican the Eucharistic Prayer is always in Latin. To use a common language during the consecration would be an important sign of unity with all the other Masses being said all over the world, as "the sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice." CCC 1367

The Sign of Peace, while one of the most ancient parts of the Mass, is in most parishes, very dispuptive. Moving it back to a less solemn part of the Mass would be very sensible.

Posted by: - Jul. 04, 2008 6:12 PM ET USA
Novo Ordo already contributed to the Tridentine Mass...At least in my case, after attending Novo Ordo Masses for years I now have a new appreciation for the traditional, Tridentine, Mass.

Posted by: - Jul. 04, 2008 5:40 PM ET USA
Amen to that Gregory

Posted by: - Jul. 04, 2008 4:37 PM ET USA
It is not a question of trade-offs for change between liturgy forms. It is an issue of returning to formula for the liturgy to maintain its meaning and decorum. When any changes are specified by the Pope, compliance become an issue of obedience. In fact, the suggested changes will eliminate some rather strange spontaneous variations that some priests have come up with at Mass especially during the Consecration.

Posted by: - Jul. 04, 2008 3:40 PM ET USA
Gregory, you missed the point. The preferred language for celebration of the Novus Ordo is Latin-the vernacular was only an option.

Posted by: - Jul. 04, 2008 3:32 PM ET USA
I welcome the return to SOME Latin prayers in the Mass, particularly at the Consecration. But eliminating communion in the hand would be a great mistake. Jesus had a very informal last supper. He said: "take and eat". He used ordinary bread, ordinary wine. The move to "on the tongue only" is to over-emphasize sacredness to the point where people will feel unworthy and will only receive on special occasions. Respect and reverence are very internal, not external, as the "pharasees" would have it.

Posted by: - Jul. 04, 2008 3:25 PM ET USA
I have an idea on implemenatation! We Novo Ordo people will gladly accept Latin in our Liturgy....as soon as the Tridentine folks accept guitars and tambourines in their liturgy!! Tit-for-tat! Even for even! Then everyone's liturgy can be "enriched" by the other!