A comment by Martin Luther foretold the end of the church if the mass is taken away. The battle pitting the traditional catholic mass and the new mass seems to become the next battle front. It is billed to be a controversy with the potential of splitting Catholics down the middle. Several leaders over the years have voiced their concern with different views depending on individual inclination and formation background.
Vatican II was pivotal in instituting the new order of Eucharistic celebration. Those supporting the previous order are concerned that the ecumenism introduced has led to falsification of faith. It has diluted the belief and created a new look church, different from what has existed over centuries. Restrictions should be placed on implementation of these proposals since they are taking the church in the wrong direction.
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.
The entry of a new version did not mean that the old one was to be abandoned. The pope formed a commission that was to advise him on the best way forward. The difference can be felt in the order of mass and arrangement at the altar. These differences make the two versions distinct.
Before the Eucharistic celebration begins, the priest would perform the rite of consecrating water for sprinkling to the faithful. It was mixed with salt and a defined psalm sung as the priest sprinkled the water on the congregants. There was a different dress code for the main celebrant from that of co-celebrants.
The procession entered the church with a chalice that was placed on the credence table. All the while, the deacons, altar servers and priests had their back on congregants. An antiphon is recited before the sign of the cross can be made.
A lot of changes were instituted regarding the communion. It was only administered by priests. In the current version, lay people and revered nuns are allowed to administer. People knelt when receiving and it was only received using the tongue and not hands. The removal of tabernacles from the center is another drastic departure that has raised eyebrows among conservatives. It appears like dilution of the centrality of communion for the Catholic faithful.
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.
Vatican II was pivotal in instituting the new order of Eucharistic celebration. Those supporting the previous order are concerned that the ecumenism introduced has led to falsification of faith. It has diluted the belief and created a new look church, different from what has existed over centuries. Restrictions should be placed on implementation of these proposals since they are taking the church in the wrong direction.
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.
The entry of a new version did not mean that the old one was to be abandoned. The pope formed a commission that was to advise him on the best way forward. The difference can be felt in the order of mass and arrangement at the altar. These differences make the two versions distinct.
Before the Eucharistic celebration begins, the priest would perform the rite of consecrating water for sprinkling to the faithful. It was mixed with salt and a defined psalm sung as the priest sprinkled the water on the congregants. There was a different dress code for the main celebrant from that of co-celebrants.
The procession entered the church with a chalice that was placed on the credence table. All the while, the deacons, altar servers and priests had their back on congregants. An antiphon is recited before the sign of the cross can be made.
A lot of changes were instituted regarding the communion. It was only administered by priests. In the current version, lay people and revered nuns are allowed to administer. People knelt when receiving and it was only received using the tongue and not hands. The removal of tabernacles from the center is another drastic departure that has raised eyebrows among conservatives. It appears like dilution of the centrality of communion for the Catholic faithful.
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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