Largely owing to curiosity, my wife and I attended our first tridentine Mass last weekend. Let me state upfront that I am a a fan of “high” liturgy: I like chant, smells, and bells. I didn’t merely come for the Latin, as I attend a Latin Novus Ordo Mass every Sunday. Like I said, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. And, I have to say, I was disappointed.
There were some things I definitely liked, such as the absence of hymns, the use of chant, and the solemnity in receiving communion. The music was certainly beautiful. But, on the whole, I prefer the Latin Novus Ordo Mass. Here are my main issues:
First, the Liturgy of the Word. I now have a greater appreciation for how this was a such an important development in the Novus Ordo. The epistle and gospel were intoned rapidly in Latin. And, when it came time for the homily, the first thing the priest did was repeat the epistle and homily in English, at a rapid and decidedly non-reverential clip. And people stood for the translation of the gospel, even though it had already been proclaimed!
I also did not feel that it was more prayerful and solemn that a good Novus Ordo Mass. And, despite what people say about liturgical abuse, this Mass really is all about the priest. Yes, I understand the theology behind ad orientem, and I am sympathetic, but it just didn’t do anything for me. The whole action of the Mass seemed centered on the presider, through an elaborate sequence of movements, postures, and positions. Also, it was also hard to participate in a liturgy I could not hear! Much of the Mass was simply, from my perspective, a “mumble-fest”. It felt cold. Following along in the books provided is simply not the same. And yet, I felt that some of the others in the congregation did not want to participate. I was one of the few who joined in singing the Gloria and Credo, and I received some funny looks from some people around me!
In his accompanying letter to motu proprio summorum pontificem, Pope Benedict talked about widespread dismay over some liturgical deviations that took place in the wake of the Council prompting his decision. For those attached to the tridentine Mass, by all means, let them have it. But I do not this as the answer to the hunger for a better liturgy today. The starting point would be to celebrate the Novus Ordo with greater dignity and solemnity, incorporating more chant and Latin, with less improvisation and Protestantizing-influences. But we need to move forward, not backwards.
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