'Tridentine' Vs. Novus Ordo: Some Pictorial Comparisons

Traditional ('Tridentine')

Modern (Novus Ordo)

Holy Water Font

Artistic / Beautiful

Note: Holy water should remind us of the glorious gift of our Baptism.

Font or Ashtray?

Sacred Art / 'Sacred Art'

Uplifting / Educates

"The image is the book of those who cannot read, and even the learned may gain more from an instant's gazing at an eloquent picture than from the prolonged study of many volumes." (Dom Gueranger)

Earthly / Homely

Altar / Table

Ornate / Beautiful (with relics)

Plain / Barren (may not have relics)

"To separate the Tabernacle from the Altar is tantamount to separating two things which, of their very nature, must remain together" (Pope Pius XII)

"...one would be straying from the straight path were he to wish the altar restored to its primitive table form." (Pope Pius XII, "Mediator Dei", 1947)

Note: An altar should not resemble a table! This is a Protestant concept which may be used to discourage belief in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It sends a message that Christ is present only symbolically in a "community banquet" (i.e. the Protestants' "Lord's Supper") rather than His Real Presence in a sacrificial act (the true belief; the Catholic belief).

Stained Glass

Artistic / Beautiful

"The image is the book of those who cannot read, and even the learned may gain more from an instant's gazing at an eloquent picture than from the prolonged study of many volumes." (Dom Gueranger)

Plain / Ugly

Tabernacle

(yes, sadly, this is a real tabernacle, not a lunchbox)

Ornate / Beautiful 

The Tabernacle should be magnificent, in consideration of what it contains.

Childish Looking / Plain

Note: Compare the above to King David's statement: "[T]he house that is to be built for the LORD must be made so magnificent that it will be renowned and glorious in all countries." (1 Chron. 22:5)

Musical Instruments

Pipe Organ

 "The pipe organ is to be held in high esteem in the Latin Church, for it is the traditional musical instrument, the sound of which can add a wonderful splendor to the Church's ceremonies and powerfully lifts up men's minds to God and higher things." (Second Vatican Council) [Note: The pipe organ, "the premier instrument of the Catholic Church", has historically been considered "the only instrument sacred enough for the Mass"]

Drums, Pianos, Bongos 

(Guitar Not Pictured)

"The employment of the piano is forbidden in church, as is also that of noisy or frivolous instruments such as drums, cymbals, bells and the like." (Pope St. Pius X, "Inter Sollicitudines", 1920)

Confessional / Reconciliation Room

Serious / Confining

Note: Traditional confessionals help create an atmosphere proper to the confession of one's sins; sins which destroy our friendship with God and (if not forgiven) may cause us to suffer eternal hellfire. "For the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23).

Open / Friendly

Note: The casualness and "friendliness" of so-called "Reconciliation Rooms" may be less conducive to the proper penitential spirit one should have regarding sins.

Ceiling

(yes, this church is finished)

Detailed / Artistic

Spider Web?

Note: The ceilings of many garages look nicer than this church's "spider web" ceiling.

Spontaneous Lay Speakers

N/A

At least he's male.

(Note: Faces masked for privacy)

Note: Notice the priest sitting off to the side while the layman in faded jeans speaks to the 'audience'. 

"Give to the LORD the glory due his name! Bring gifts, and enter his presence; worship the LORD in holy attire. Tremble before him, all the earth; he has made the world firm, not to be moved." (1 Chron. 16:29-30)

"Mealware"

N/A

Anyone Care for Dinner?

Note: It is a Protestant concept to view the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as a mere meal. It is a Catholic dogma that the Mass is truly a propitiatory sacrifice. To confuse the Mass as a meal brings many unfortunate consequences (e.g. loss of reverence / sacrilege, loss of belief in the Real Presence, lessening of respect for the priest, socializing, poor dress, etc.).

Lay Sign of Peace (click here)

N/A

Calvary? What Calvary?

(Note: Faces masked for privacy)

Note: In the early day of Christianity, a "kiss of peace" among the laity was reserved for those members of the Church who were in the state of grace. It was not given indiscriminately to just anyone. Note that in the Novus Ordo Mass, this "sign of peace" is generally given to anyone in the vicinity, be they Jewish, Protestant, adulterers, abortionists, those living in sin, etc. - thereby sending a very wrong message. Further, this practice is very distracting and requires that the laity - and possibly even the priest - turn their backs on the Holy Eucharist, which lays alone on the altar. It also tends to take one's focus away from Christ and turn the Mass from being a solemn sacrifice to a "jovial party". It is also an unsanitary practice (especially for those who will, in a few moments, proceed to take Holy Communion in the hand), and involves strange men and women inappropriately making physical contact with each other (and with children). Sadly, this practice has created so much distraction that many people consider this the highlight of the Mass!

Please Note: The illustration above is used to highlight the typical scenario in a Catholic parish during the 'sign of peace'. We in no way wish to personally demean any persons pictured herein or to "put words in their mouths." 

'Parading' of the Book

N/A

If only the Eucharist got so much attention...

(Note: Faces masked for privacy)

Pews Without Kneelers

N/A

"In the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth" (St. Paul, Phil. 2:10)

Priest Off to Side While Lay Persons Take Charge

N/A

"Boy my job got easy..."

(Note: Face masked for privacy)

"Band" Placed Higher than Altar

N/A

The band (at right), located in the 'sanctuary', is actually placed higher than the altar - which represents Christ