…from here and there. Just grabbing links as I roam. Literally. So don’t be out there reading this thinking I’m attempting any "coverage." Not here, at this moment!
First off – this is good, and very useful – A Summorum Pontificum blog – the most useful part of which so far will be the links to diocesan reactions and responses. (So far, not many of course, since the doc was only released on Saturday.) It will be a good place to keep track of all of that – help the blogger out by sending him links, as well.
Hitting bottom, liturgically – and as you read, remember that this Moment in Dreadful Liturgy is not the poor priest’s doing. And prepare to cringe.
Also via the Cranky Prof, A Washington Times article about the huge mosaic project in process at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in DC
Fr. Rob Johansen has some commentary on the MP.
Carl Olson has a long, reflective post on the issue at hand, from his perspective as a parishioner at an Eastern Catholic parish.Which gives me a chance to repeat my suggestion that if you want to deepen your understanding of what all of these liturgical conversations are about, attend Mass at an Eastern Catholic parish, especially if you the Classical Rite (Missal of John XXIII/Tridentine/ "extraordinary") gives you pause for various reasons. (I’m not saying it should. I’m just acknowledging that it does for some people.) That experience of the Eastern Catholic tradition is another way, from a slightly different direction, into the insights and wisdom Pope Benedict is trying to re-teach.
To oppose the celebration of the Liturgy in the form that hallowed so many centuries and nourished our ancestors is historically short-sighted. To oppose it when there are people — even a relatively small number — who earnestly desire to take part in it indicates a grievous lack of Christian magnanimity and an intolerance of diversity. Or, to be more succinct, only a grinch would want to refuse the Old Mass to people who ask for it. And grinchiness begets grinchiness. From there we get polarization and people backed into unfortunate corners of extremism.
Happily, the Pope agrees.
It’s also useful to notice what the Pope says in the very first article of the document, before he even gets around to issuing norms: not that he is once again allowing something that was abolished, but that the traditional form of celebrating the Roman Mass was never abrogated to begin with. That’s worth reflecting on for a bit, too.
At any rate, I’m under no illusion that the Missal of John XXIII is going to sweep the world and cause everyone to forget about the Missal of Paul VI. Inasmuch as there are many, many people who are spiritually nourished by and prefer the new form of the Mass, I wouldn’t want to see them deprived of it. Respect for true liturgical diversity demands that those of us who prefer the old Missal be courteous and respectful toward the new Missal, just as we are toward the Liturgies of the various Eastern Churches. Today we’re rejoicing because that same respect and courtesy is being extended once again to the venerable old Liturgy of the Roman Church. Surely no one could be against that.
Fr. Jim also has some catechetical hints and resources in that same blog post.
Fr. Z has continuing commentary, including some comments and questions about Burlington Bishop Matano’s statement I blogged yesterday.
Finally, congratulations to and prayers of thanksgiving offered for a friend who experienced a great blessing today, Sunday. We are so happy for you – and you know who you are!
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