Pope Benedict’s much needed “reform of the reform” continues as the Congregation for Divine Worship is examining possible changes to the “novus ordo” mass of Paul VI. Some of the possible modifications include normal reception of communion on the tongue, rather than the hand, bi-lingual missals (Latin and vernacular), and the priest celebrating in the ad orientam position (facing East, not “the priest turning his back on the people”). The congregation is also looking into tightening the rules for the rite to discourage unnecessary creativity (I take the view that when a liturgist has “gotten creative” with a prayer service, run away very quickly!).
In my humble opinion, not only these changes, but above all, the discussion about how to make the “novus ordo” more sacred is greatly needed. It took years to get into the post-Vatican II liturgical mess and it will take years to get out of it. This is a great start.
[...] Per Christum via A conservative blog for peace [...]
I thought we were supposed to be getting a new and better translation of the Mass in English this year. Is that not happening? Or….?
No translation, Nicene Hobbit, just a reversion to Latin. It’s a sacred language, you see.
Dan,
Well, no…actually, we are to get a new and better translation of the Mass in English. As for Latin being a “sacred” language…it isn’t. Latin is just another language which the Church used in a sacred manner for about 1800 years. Any language which is used properly for the worship of Almighty God is sacred whether that language be English, Latin, Greek, or Swahili.