Happy Motu Proprio Day!
In a long-anticipated development, Pope Benedict XVI today issued the Apostolic Letter Summorum Pontificum in the form of a motu proprio (i.e., on his personal initiative) that significantly frees the use of the classical form of the Roman Rite, according to the 1962 Roman Missal of Blessed John XXIII (Missale Romanum). The full text of Summorum Pontificum can be found on the Vatican website, as can an unofficial English translation.
Catholic New Service has a good news and analysis piece on the Motu Proprio, and includes a link to a remarkably fair-minded special newsletter on the motu proprio from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. More detailed commentary on both the Motu Proprio and the Pope's accompanying explanatory letter can be found at the New Liturgical Movement.
What does the Motu Proprio mean to Catholics?
In short:
- The 1970 Missal of Pope Paul VI is designated the "ordinary" form of the Roman Rite, and the 1962 Missal of Blessed John XXIII (Missale Romanum) is designated the "extraordinary" form of the Roman Rite.
- Any priest can now privately celebrate the classical form of the Roman Rite, according to the 1962 Missale Romanum without permission.
- Other faithful may attend such private masses if they wish to do so.
- At the request of a "stable group" of the faithful, pastors of parishes should designate daily, Sunday, and Feast day masses according to the 1962 Missale Romanum.
- Other Sacraments and celebrations of the classical form may be celebrated as well (Marriage, Baptism, Funerals, etc.)
- The bishop may confer the Sacrament of Confirmation using the classical form if he so desires.
- If pastors are unable to satisfy the request of the faithful for the classical form (e.g., no suitably trained priest is available in the parish), the faithful should take their request to their bishop, who is "strongly requested" to satisfy their wishes.
- If a bishop is unable to satisfy the request of the faithful, he should refer the matter to the Ecclesia Dei Commission for counsel and assistance.
This is a big deal. No longer should the classical form or the modern form of the Roman Rite be considered illegitimate. Both priests and faithful who desire to celebrate the classical form should find it much easer to do so. In particular, I would encourage priests in the Dioceses of Oakland or San Jose to contact Fr. Michael Wiener of the Institute of Christ the King, who is the Episcopal Delegate for the Traditional Latin Mass Community in Oakland and Rector of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Oratory in Santa Clara, for more information on the classical form of the Roman Rite.
Comments
It would be interesting to see what would happen if a "stable group" of people from CCOP approached Fr. Danielson about this in Pleasanton.
Posted by: Sean | July 8, 2007 3:09 AM
I agree, Sean. That would be interesting. Sadly, I don't think it's very likely. My impression is that Pleasanton families who aren't enthusiastic about the form of liturgy at St. Augustine and St. Elizabeth Seton have felt unwelcome and have self-selected other Mass options outside of Pleasanton. I'd be surprised if there's a group of regular parishioners to make such a request.
Posted by: Don Roberts | July 8, 2007 8:29 AM
This is very interesting reading. I have also read some of the NLM postings . But I do have a question. Does this mean that the Requiem Mass will be in favor again? Please excuse my ignorance.
Posted by: Gloria Nafziger | July 10, 2007 7:51 AM
Mom,
Very good question. I think the MP could well result in a broader use of the Requiem Mass. Here's how I would envision that playing out: the wider availability of the Traditional Latin Mass and the other Sacraments will surely result in more funeral Masses according to this form of the Roman Rite. So, we will directly see an increase in Requiem Masses.
Furthermore, some people who attend these funerals, who are otherwise unfamiliar with the Traditional Latin Mass, will be struck by this type of funeral and seek to incorporate elements of it into funerals for their loved ones (or for themselves). Even if they don't choose a Requiem Mass, they could opt for a funeral in the modern form of the Roman Rite which uses elements of a Requiem Mass (black vestments, for example).
This latter change will have the effect of changing, over time, the way funerals in the Novus Ordo are held. I think this is part of what Pope Benedict seeks from the MP: an infusion of the Novus Ordo with the best elements of the Traditional Latin Mass.
Only time will tell...
Posted by: Don Roberts | July 10, 2007 6:42 PM