Pope Francis to expand concelebration into the “Tridentine” Mass
I’m not sure what’s up with this, but it can’t be good.
From Pisces News with my emphases and comments:
Pope Francis to Change “Tridentine” Rite in spirit of Mercy
ROME (CaepaNews): In a long-anticipated surprise move Pope Francis has begun his own reform of the Roman Rite in the Extraordinary Form.
Vatican observers have learned that Pope Francis has granted permission to a monastic community to practice concelebration in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, sometimes called the “Tridentine” Mass or just the “Latin Mass”. The grant is to last for two years, “ad experimentum”, after which the results of the period will be studied and a final decision will be made. [Only 2 years?]
Concelebration is when more than one priest celebrates the same Mass. It was used in the ancient Church but it faded out. Vatican II revived the practice in the 1960’s. Some oriental churches have maintained concelebration.
“Changes to the foot washing ‘Mandatum” for Holy Thursday have brought such interest and new energy to the Sacred Triduum, “said Msgr. Luigi Campanaro, a consulter on liturgical matters for the Holy See’s liturgy office, [That guy… again … still alive, I see.] “His Holiness, in his great love and solicitude for the People, is now considering how to apply the fruits of the Year of Mercy to the traditional Mass.” The “Triduum” are the last days of Lent before Easter, which include Good Friday.
One official, who spoke on background, offered that Francis is concerned that in the pre-conciliar liturgy priests always have their backs to the people. If there were concelebrants, then at least some priests could make eye contact with the congregation and, “reassure them that they are loved and valued. It’s all about Mercy.”
Not all commentators on the traditional liturgy were as enthusiastic about this move to expand concelebration. Speaking by phone, Rev. John Zuhlsdorf, or “Father Z”, who has a world-famous blog often focused on traditional rites, said curtly before the line went dead, “Concelebration should be safe, legal and rare.” [My position for many years now.]
Fr. Wilfrid Brimble, OSB of Affpuddle Abbey, an expert on liturgy studies, [and a ninnyhammer] told PN that concelebration is not entirely unknown in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Mass even now. “At ordinations to the priesthood,”, he said, “the newly ordained priests say the words of institution – what used to be called the consecration – together with the bishop who is the liturgical presider of the assembly. That’s concelebration and it was done for centuries. This is nothing new.” He went on to say that he welcomed Pope Francis’ new interest in the traditionalist Mass. “It’s time. It’s time for more Mercy in the Church. It’s time for a new beginning.” [I feel ill.]
You decide. I, for one, am against it.
The moderation queue is ON.
