MyCatholicSource.com - 'Quick Help' Page: Why So Much Criticism Of 1960's Novus Ordo Mass?

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It is true that elements of the Novus Ordo (New Order) Mass of the 1960's have been widely criticized – in fact, the Cardinal in charge of protecting the Catholic faith at the time called the New Mass "a striking departure from the Catholic theology of the Mass as it was (traditionally) formulated"...

"[T]he Novus Ordo Missae - considering the new elements, susceptible of widely differing evaluation, which appear to be implied or taken for granted - represents, as a whole and in detail, a striking departure from the Catholic theology of the Holy Mass as it was formulated in Session XXII of the Council of Trent, which, by fixing definitively the 'canons' of the rite, erected an insurmountable barrier against any heresy which might attack the integrity of the Mystery." (Cardinals Ottaviani and Bacci)

And he also said...

"[T]he new liturgy will delight all those groups hovering on the verge of apostasy who, during a spiritual crisis without precedent, now wreak havoc in the Church by poisoning Her organism and by undermining Her unity in doctrine, worship, morals and discipline." (Cardinals Ottaviani and Bacci)

And...

"To abandon a liturgical tradition which for four centuries stood as a sign and pledge of unity in worship, and to replace it with another liturgy which, due to the countless liberties it implicitly authorizes, cannot but be a sign of division - a liturgy which teems with insinuations or manifest errors against the integrity of the Catholic Faith - is, we feel bound in conscience to proclaim, an incalculable error." (Cardinals Ottaviani and Bacci, emphasis added)

And...

"We have limited ourselves above to a short study of the Novus Ordo where it deviates most seriously from the theology of the Catholic Mass. Our observations touch upon deviations which are typical. To prepare a complete study of all the pitfalls, dangers and psychologically and spiritually destructive elements the new rite contains, whether in texts, rubrics or instructions, would be a vast undertaking." (Cardinals Ottaviani and Bacci, emphasis added)

Even popes have criticized various elements of the New Mass. For example, consider what the future Pope Benedict XVI said about the new Mass...

"...in the place of liturgy as the fruit of development came fabricated liturgy. We abandoned the organic, living process of growth and development over the centuries, and replaced it - as in a manufacturing process - with a fabrication, a banal, on-the-spot product." (Cardinal Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI)

Note that many of the changes incorporated in the New Mass (of the 1960's) parallel those changes made by the Protestant 'Reformers' – changes which were made by persons who hated the Mass and which were purposely implemented by them to destroy the faith of Catholics. Many of the changes incorporated in the New Mass (of the 1960's) contradict previous condemnations by popes, saints, and councils. Some changes introduced into the Novus Ordo Mass even seem to call into question the very nature of Catholic truths (e.g. saying that Christ "will come again" right after He becomes present in the Holy Eucharist seems to deny that He is actually present). Many of the changes appear to be made (or have been admitted to be made) specifically to please Protestants – heretics who reject the Church. In fact, it has been reported that various Protestants – who had always maintained an intense hatred of the Traditional Mass (as the devil does) – are pleased with the Novus Ordo Mass. In fact, some Protestants even use the Novus Ordo texts for their 'worship services'! In addition to changed altars, removed Tabernacles, eliminated genuflections, turning the priest to face the people (rather than eastward, representing Christ), etc., various other important elements have changed. For example, a new calendar was implemented (eliminating many of the saints' feast days), readings were changed, prayers were changed, there are fewer requests for the intercession of the angels & saints, the Blessed Virgin Mary is less frequently invoked, etc. The new prayers and readings have resulted in the near elimination of "negative" topics (e.g. sin, judgment, hell, purgatory). In fact, some Scripture readings have been so carefully selected that "negative" topics are carved out of them (e.g. the positive parts are read and the negative parts are simply skipped over). There has been an attempt to turn the Mass from a Sacrifice (the Catholic truth) into a community meal (a Protestant concept). Active external participation is promoted and active internal participation is discouraged. Reflection on God and eternal truths is exchanged for focus on our neighbor and social issues. Rather than focus on God, we are urged to consider our neighbor – even as Christ lays alone on the altar. Since these changes were implemented, scores of people have left the Catholic faith, many priests have abandoned their ministry, belief in the Real Presence may be as low as 25%, many consecrations have been invalid or at least questionable, sacrilege and abuse are common occurrences, dissention is high, the priestly roles are confused, Catholics are poorly educated in the faith, vocations are in crisis, disobedience is widespread, etc. Although some try to argue that the changes are the work of the Holy Spirit, we know that God doesn't change and the fruits speak for themselves. Even popes have had to admit that the "new springtime" has some characteristics of the "dead of winter" (e.g. Pope Paul VI's famous lamentation that the "smoke of Satan" had entered the Church).

Did you know? It is still possible – thanks be to God! – to lawfully attend the Traditional Latin Mass. The Traditional Latin ('Tridentine') Mass differs from the 1960's Novus Ordo Mass in many & significant ways (try here for more information). To locate a Traditional Latin Mass in your area, try here.

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"If the Church were not Divine, the [Second Vatican] Council would have buried her." (Cardinal Siri)

"Unless we are blind, we must even state bluntly that what we see looks less like the hoped-for regeneration of Catholicism than its accelerated decomposition." (Fr. Louis Bouyer)

"The liturgical reform, welcomed with so much idealism and hope by many priests and lay people alike has turned out to be a liturgical destruction of startling proportions - a debacle worsening with each passing year. Instead of the hoped-for renewal of the Church and of Catholic life, we are now witnessing a dismantling of the traditional values and piety on which our faith rests." (Msgr. Gamber)

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