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.
The call for modernization is not a preserve of the current generation. In the fourth century, St. Athanasius entered the debate in his letter to a congregation that was facing similar challenges. The urge by the saint was for Catholics to defend their faith other than allow the bug of modernism to devour their church.
The old order, referred to as Trindentine, is supported since it had taken centuries to curve. Dismantling it by the stroke of a papal declaration would be erroneous. Conservatives are alive to the fact that the faithful owe the pope blind obedience. His Extraordinary Magisterium allows him to institute such changes, but they must not be at the expense of its essence or form.
It is worth noting that the new version did not invalidate the old one. The findings of a commission formed by the pope direct that the old version can still be followed. There are structural differences that are worth noting. They are distinctive and separate the old version from the new one.
The Eucharistic celebration began with consecration of water to be sprinkled to the faithful. This happened in the sacristy and involved addition of salt and a consecration prayer. Sprinkling happened as the priest and his team processed toward the altar. The main celebrant wore differently from co-celebrants. The procession was accompanied by a psalm.
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 debate on introduction of modernism is controversial with questions on whether it has led to a warmer and more vibrant church. Questions linger on why these changes did not increase vocations or lead to growth in congregational numbers. The introduction of the new version is questioned since there was no crisis that necessitated the move. Statistics indicate a drastic decline that is getting out of hand. The question is whether reverting to the traditional order would reverse the decline.
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.
The call for modernization is not a preserve of the current generation. In the fourth century, St. Athanasius entered the debate in his letter to a congregation that was facing similar challenges. The urge by the saint was for Catholics to defend their faith other than allow the bug of modernism to devour their church.
The old order, referred to as Trindentine, is supported since it had taken centuries to curve. Dismantling it by the stroke of a papal declaration would be erroneous. Conservatives are alive to the fact that the faithful owe the pope blind obedience. His Extraordinary Magisterium allows him to institute such changes, but they must not be at the expense of its essence or form.
It is worth noting that the new version did not invalidate the old one. The findings of a commission formed by the pope direct that the old version can still be followed. There are structural differences that are worth noting. They are distinctive and separate the old version from the new one.
The Eucharistic celebration began with consecration of water to be sprinkled to the faithful. This happened in the sacristy and involved addition of salt and a consecration prayer. Sprinkling happened as the priest and his team processed toward the altar. The main celebrant wore differently from co-celebrants. The procession was accompanied by a psalm.
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 debate on introduction of modernism is controversial with questions on whether it has led to a warmer and more vibrant church. Questions linger on why these changes did not increase vocations or lead to growth in congregational numbers. The introduction of the new version is questioned since there was no crisis that necessitated the move. Statistics indicate a drastic decline that is getting out of hand. The question is whether reverting to the traditional order would reverse the decline.
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