Tridentine Mass Responses

Dear Friends in Christ,

Here are two more questions on the subject of the extraordinary form of the Mass (known as the “Tridentine” Mass). They were answered by Pope Benedict XVI in his letter to the bishops.

Q. Does this extended permission to use the extraordinary form detract from the authority of the Second Vatican Council?

Answer: No. The Mass as we know it today continues to be the ordinary form of the Mass. The last version of the Mass published under Pope John XXIII in 1962 will now be used as an extraordinary form. It is not appropriate to speak of these two versions of the Roman Missal as if they were “two rites”. Rather, it is a matter of a twofold use of one and the same rite.

Regarding the use of the 1962 Missal, this Missal was never abolished or forbidden. At the time of the introduction of the new Missal in 1970 it did not seem necessary to issue specific norms for the possible use of the earlier Missal. Later, however, it became apparent that a substantial number of people remained strongly attached to this earlier form of the Mass. Some reasons for this attachment arose from the fact that in many places celebrations were not faithful to the prescriptions of the new Missal. A certain “creativity” was in vogue which frequently led to deformations of the liturgy which were hard to bear.

Pope John Paul II in 1988 provided guidelines for the use of the 1962 Missal. They were a general appeal to the bishops to respond to the legitimate aspirations of the faithful who requested this usage of the Roman rite. Not only older persons who knew the Mass under the 1962 Missal but also younger persons have discovered this form and felt its attraction. They have found in it a form of encounter with the Mystery of the Holy Eucharist, particularly suited to them. Thus the need has arisen for a clearer juridical regulation.

Q. Won’t the wider use of the 1962 Missal lead to divisions within the parish community?

Answer: No. The use of the older Missal presupposes a certain degree of liturgical formation and some knowledge of the Latin language; neither of these is found very often. Already from this point of view we can see that the new Missal will certainly remain the ordinary Form of the Mass. The two forms of the Mass can be mutually enriching. New saints and some of the new prefaces can and should be inserted in the old Missal. The “Ecclesia Dei” Commission will study the practical possibilities in this regard. The celebration of the Mass according to the Missal of 1970 should begin to demonstrate more and more the sense of the sacred which attracts many people to the former usage. The most sure guarantee that the new Missal can unite parish communities and be loved by them consists in its being celebrated with great reverence in harmony with the liturgical directives. This will bring out the spiritual richness and the theological depth of this Missal.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Hildebrand