Customer Reviews

Mass Misunderstandings: The Mixed Legacy of the Vatican II liturgical Reforms

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This excellent, readable book explains how we got the US liturgy and liturgical books of today, what the current Pope's "motu proprio" about the older form of the mass was meant to accomplish (as opposed to what some Catholics hoped or feared it was meant to accomplish), and what has happened to the committee in charge of English translations. Sure to displease ultra liberals and ultra conservatives alike, Whitehead doesn't pull punches, but never resorts to polemics. This is a book about how we got where we are, not a "blame-fest," and Whitehead is always both charitable toward intentions and candid about results. He points to a future more in line with what Vatican II actually outlined, but makes no promises about getting there soon. No one knew how to change a world-wide church all at once, he reminds us throughout the book, and a lot got done wrong. The only think I could wish for are more examples of what was/is wrong, but then it would be a less reasonable book. It's frequently funny, in a wry sort of way, and a very welcome addition to books reassessing the liturgy.