Andrea Tornielli reports in il Giornale that the reform of the reform, long awaited, may finally be on its way. Tornielli reports that a document was delivered to the Pope from the Congregation for Divine Worship, following a vote therein, recommending a number of changes to the Novus Ordo. It reports also that this document has been approved by the Pope. Changes like this take time, but perhaps there is light at the end of the tunnel. The list of proposed changes includes (translation from the wonderful Rorate Caeli with Bullets added by me.)
The Cardinals and Bishops members of the Congregation voted almost unanimously in favor of a greater sacrality of the rite, of the recovery of the sense of eucharistic worship,
- of the recovery of the Latin language in the celebration,
- and of the remaking of the introductory parts of the Missal in order to put a stop to abuses, wild experimentations, and inappropriate creativity.
- They have also declared themselves favorable to reaffirm that the usual way of receiving Communion according to the norms is not on the hand, but in the mouth. There is, it is true, and indult which, on request of the [local] episcopates, allows for the distribution of the host [sic] also on the palm of the hand, but this must remain an extraordinary fact.
- The “Liturgy Minister” of Pope Ratzinger, Cañizares, is also having studies made on the possibility to recover the orientation towards the Orient of the celebrant, at least at the moment of the eucharistic consecration, as it happened in practice before the reform, when both the faithful and the priest faced towards the Cross and the priest therefore turned his back to the assembly.
This is amazing and wonderful news. Without a doubt this will necessarily move slowly, but move it will. I will pray for this intention every day.
P.S.Of course no discussion of the reform of the Novus Ordo is complete without mentioning my offered services in the ad campaign to promote it.
August 25, 2009 at 9:33 pm
See this is what I got:
Vatican Denies Rumors of Coming Liturgical Reform
VATICAN CITY, AUG. 24, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The Vatican is denying rumors promulgated by some news organizations that announced forthcoming changes in the liturgy.
Father Ciro Benedettini, deputy director of the Vatican press office, clarified that "for the time being there are no institutional proposals for a modification of the liturgical books used at present," Vatican Radio reported.
In recent days some media sources incorrectly reported that the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments had presented proposals to Benedict XVI for a "reform of the liturgical reform" motivated by the Second Vatican Council.
Is this the same thing or what?
August 26, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Anon from 3:30ish- I will look at what St. John Vianney said, and I invite you to come to my parish at 5:30pm on Sunday to see what happens at a typical Life Teen Mass that we celebrate at Our Lady of Good Council in Plymouth MI. Perhaps what other Life Teen programs allow is profane, but I find the music here to elevate Christ's holiness and emphasize the importance of a deep inner conversion within to His saving Grace and Love.
August 29, 2009 at 6:10 pm
Let me know in 5-10 years how these young people imbued with Life Teen or similar are following their faith. Dom Chautard wrote an excellent book The Soul of the Apostolate which happened to be the bedside book of St. Pius X. In it he talks about numerous examples of attempts in his age (late 1800's, early 1900's) to attract young people to Church by offering profane, secular activities with a Catholic veneer. In the long run most of them do not hold to their faith as the emotional feelings wear off.