Customer Reviews

The Reform of the Liturgy (1948-1975)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is sometimes said that the confusions and experiments that followed the close of the Second Vatican Council were not intended by the architects of the Council itself. Bugnini's personal history of these years puts that myth to rest. He demonstrates an astounding hostility toward Catholic tradition in these pages, and shows that at every turn the Council was working to dismantle the liturgy, doctrine, and spirituality of the ages and replace it with a new and thoroughly modern, if not humanistic, theory of the faith. How this monstrous figure became the most influential figure at a Church Council is the only remaining mystery. In the meantime, this book is an essential read.

Controversy swirled around the late Annibale Bugnini. As Secretary of the Consilium, the group charged with carrying out the reforms mandated by Vatican II, he was in a position to influence exactly how the reform was carried out. He was rewarded with an archbishop's mitre and made first secretary to the Congregation of Divine Worship. This congregation was later suppressed by Paul VI, and Archbishop Bugnini was exiled and made papal nuncio to Iran.

I do not know whether it will ever be proved conclusively that Bugnini was a freemason. This controversy continues still.

As far as a one-volume history of the reform goes, it is a useful book. Archbishop Bugnini introduces his reader to the persons behind the reform. It should be noted that some of the greatest liturgists of the 20th century, i.e., Joseph Jungmann, SJ, Bernard Botte, OSB, Aime-Georges Martimort, Louis Bouyer, and others all took part in the liturgical reform.

The reason that I have rated it as low as I have is for the fact that it is a self-aggrandising and narcissistic memoir. I do not know the particular demons that the late Archbishop may have been struggling with. However, he does not come off well in the text. While writing frequently in the third person, were one to believe his work, the Consilium and he did nothing wrong and the results were greeted with joy almost unanimously. In the preface by his student Gottardo Pasqualetti, his student speaks of how the Archbishop desired the words: "He served the Church" engraved on his tombstone.

Forty years since Sancrosanctam Concilium, the reforms demanded by Vatican II still have not been implemented fully. The liturgy has deteriorated at an alarming rate. The Catholic traditionalist movement is growing. The late Archbishop Lefebvre has a significant following, as do groups utilising the old Mass in communion with Rome. Many Catholics have sought refuge in either the Eastern Rites, or in some cases, in orthodoxy itself. Has the new liturgy brought forth good fruit? It still remains to be seen.

This book tells plenty about the who, how, when and where of the liturgical reform. The all important question of "why" is never answered and that is the great mystery of Vatican II and the succession of popes who feel they must uphold the distorted vision of Bugnini rathering than the decrees of the Council itself.

Living in the Catholic Church of the 21st century, one has the feeling of being on the Titanic during the last hour of its existence with the bishops all screaming at you that everying is great and life is wonderful while you can see with your own eyes the shrieks and crys of those drowning as the great ship plunges into the ocean consuming all aboard.

The number of priests has been cut in half in the last 30 years and those that remain are mostly in their 60s or older. Will we even have the Mass as more priests die?

The new liturgy and spirituality that Bugnini created are almost totally different from that which preceeded him.

Regarding the desire of most bishops to make the Catholic Mass as Protestant as possible, if I wanted to go to a Protestant church, I could walk right across the street from the Catholic church. Why don't we try and practice some diversity here and allow the Mass to retain some Catholic elements with distinction and let the Protestants have a worship service that is not a parody of our current 99% Protestant inspired so-called Catholic Mass?

More is to be had in this book's footnotes than in the text itself. There Bugnini is most forthright, apparently without ever being able to come to truthful conclusions, about his prideful, scheming plans to detach the liturgy renewal from the natural,historic liturgical progression that has always be in motion.

Was Pope Paul VI pleased with Bugnini's work? Events say no. Pope Paul exiled Bugnini to Iran while he was aged and ill, very much against Bugnini's will.

If anyone wants to know why the Council Fathers enacted the reforms that they did, this is the book for you. I strongly reccomend that every minister involved in Catholic liturgy carefully read this book so they may have a deeper appreciation for the reforms Vatican II instituted.

I beleive that the work described in the book is a clear sign of the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church. Annibale Bugnini shows how common sense prevailed over emotions of archeological type lituriologists. Archbishop Bugnini is definitely a pastoral minded priest, and the need of pastoral sensitivity in Liturgy was secured by his presence and the continual support he had from Paul VI. Since Vatican II the catholicity of the Church is not shown only in the signs and jestures used but also in what lies behind them. Each culture is provided with enough space to accept and hand over what is received in the celebration of the Liturgy. The efforts of A. Bugnini also influenced Liturgical reforms in Christian Churches outside the Roman Communion.