Dear Editor, Some weeks ago in an item entitled ‘Back to the future?’ (IC 14/07/2016) you touched on the subject of a growing desire on the part of some Catholics for a return to the Tridentine Mass. It seems to me that this ‘restorationist’ movement in the Church is based primarily on the belief that Vatican II was a mistake and particularly so the renewal of the liturgy promulgated by the Council.
What its protagonists don’t seem to realise is that if the Holy Spirit was not present during the deliberations of the Council Fathers guiding them towards the truth, preserving them from error and showing them the direction He wished them to take in the renewal of the Church, then neither was he present at the Council of Trent, Vatican I or, indeed, at any of the Councils held down the centuries. Basically what they are doing is denying the Spirit’s presence in the Church.
To my mind the solution to the present confusion regarding the correct celebration of the Liturgy is to re-read the Council’s fundamentally important document on the Liturgy along with a wonderful little book called The Spirit of the Liturgy by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
What Benedict is calling for, in line with the Council, is a refocusing of attention away from either celebrant or people and towards the Crucified and Risen Lord, the true ‘East’ of our faith. He realises that turning the altar towards the East is neither desirable nor practical in the present situation. Instead he proposes that a very visible crucifix be placed on the altar between celebrant and congregation that would become the focal point of the Mass and give meaning to what is taking place on the altar.
The Liturgy is the Source and Summit of the whole Christian life says Vatican II, so instead of trying to turn the clock back, let us have greater faith in the Spirit of God in the Church today.
Yours etc.,
John Cleary,
Rathaspeck,
Co. Wexford.