Traditional Mass

 

 

QUICK FACTS

•  Yes, Old Catholics may celebrate mass in Latin. 
• Yes, Old Catholics may celebrate mass in their vernacular. 
• Yes, both masses are identical except in language.

Much of the current liturgical crisis in the Roman church stems from its inability to make seemingly minor changes. As I often say, if Vatican II had simply allowed the same Tridentine mass to be celebrated in the vernacular, much controversy would have been avoided. Instead, Rome decided to remove entire portions of the mass from the various priestly prayers at the altar to the location of the altar itself. 

Old Catholics allow various missals to be used at mass, be they official Old Catholic versions or Anglican variations. Nevertheless Old Catholics maintain that the liturgy of the Church must be that of the undivided church of the first ten centuries. Thus, on many points, Old Catholics disagree with the current Novus Ordo. But similarly, Old Catholics disagree with the Roman Tridentine rite. In both cases, Old Catholicism sees in both some unnecessary innovations, formed either by subtracting from the ancient mass (in the former case) or by adding to it (in the latter case). 

 Is it legitimate for the faithful to seek and request a Latin mass from a trained and willing priest? Yes. Old Catholicism is not subject to the universal jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome, and thus, its regional practice depends on the regional bishop. This is much more workable for both traditionalists and modern Catholics alike.