Customer Reviews

The Reform of the Roman Liturgy: Its Problems and Background

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The news that this book has been brought back into print by Roman Catholic Books is very good news indeed, for it is a seminal work which has done much to expose the extent of discontinuity in the post-conciliar reform. It stands alongside Archbishop Bugnini's own book, The Reform of the Liturgy, as essential reading - though Gamber is certainly the more accessible of the two.

Gamber's book is in fact two books. The first examines the overall work of the changes made to the liturgy in the 1960's. He sees the question of whether or not the changes were an organic development as crucial. His conclusions speak for themselves: "Obviously, the reformers wanted a completely new liturgy, a liturgy that differed from the traditional one in spirit as well as in form; and in no way a liturgy that represented what the Council Fathers had envisioned, i.e., a liturgy that would meet the pastoral needs of the faithful" (p. 100). Gamber is clear and unequivocal: a large mistake has been made with regard to the liturgy, unprecedented in the Church's history.

However, it would be wrong to align Gamber with traditionalists who draw a line at 1962, 1955, or even earlier, beyond which all change is anathema. Gamber is a critical liturgical historian, as shown by his precise and detailed discussion of the question of which way the liturgy should be celebrated, which comprises the second book in this volume. (A more recent and comprehensive treatment of facing east, including a critical evaluation of Gamber's contribution, is to be found in Fr U.M. Lang's Turning Towards the Lord.)

Gamber's concerns are historical, doctrinal and pastoral. He readily accepts the appropriateness of vernacular readings, and even of the pruning of some of the later accretions to the Traditional Roman Rite (Psalm 42 from the prayers at the foot of the altar, the Offertory prayers, the last Gospel). These prudential decisions can be argued about, as they were at Trent. But he staunchly defends traditions integral to the Roman Rite throughout its history, e.g., facing eastwards and the Roman Canon, and deprecates "the cold breath of realism [that] now pervades our worship" (p.13).

Gamber speaks frankly of the destruction of the Roman Rite after the Council, the last example of which can be found in the Ordo Missae promulgated in 1965 as the reform called for by the Council. Significantly, Archbishop Bugnini dismissed this 1965 reform as insufficient because its alterations were merely "peripheral", insisting that "radical" changes were what was needed.

It is Gamber's brave, loyal `critical traditionalism' that gives such importance to his writing. His theses are well documented, and his research is impressive. One hopes more of his writings will be made available in translation.

After reading Gamber (and also Bugnini) it is difficult if not impossible to maintain an uncritical acceptance of the new liturgy, even when it is celebrated devoutly and with the right intention. When we recall the doctrinal importance of the liturgy (lex orandi, lex credendi), we realise that the question of how we worship is central to our faith. What then is to be done?

"What we need today ... [are] bishops like those who in the fourth century courageously fought against Arianism when almost the whole of Christendom had succumbed to the heresy. We need saints today who can unite those whose faith has remained firm so that we might fight error and rouse the weak and vacillating from their apathy," writes Gamber (p.113). At tall order, certainly, but not beyond the possibilities of Divine Providence.

Monsignor Gamber earns really all the praising words written about him and his work. One can easily see his experience in this subject which is and has been a very delicate one in the postconciliar Church.

Gamber shows clearly what went wrong in the liturgical renewal of pope Paul VI: the forced use of a new liturgy, lectionary and calendar planned and published without much respect for the tradition of about 1600 years of natural development of the liturgy; the turning of the altar without any real historical or scientific support etc.

Monsignor Gamber's book is a necessity for all those who want to have adequate information about the liturgical tradition of the Catholic Church and for those who say there is nothing strange in the way the liturgy - especially the Holy Mass - is celebrated today.

Typically theological works on the Liturgy are dry and hard to read. Msgr. Gamber's work is not the case...it is extremely easy to read and informative for the layman. Although many of the ideas in this book are repetitive due to the fact that this is actually a compilation of essays, it is a good read.

In fact, I would say this should be required reading for any modern seminarian or catechist. It lays the groundwork for how the Liturgy (both in east and west) developed and why the Traditional Latin Mass is actually more historical than the Novus Ordo's supposed "return" to the "early" way of the Apostles. Again, I think any seminarian or student of theology should have to read this book as a part of any study of the Liturgy.

I was also surprised that this book is not filled with any vitriol that is in some other "traditionalist" publications. Rather, it is always respectful, reverent, and yet still is able to call a spade, a spade. For those that have not yet embraced the Traditional Latin Mass, this is an excellent read to at least get an understanding of this treasure of the Church. Read the book!

This is an amazing book by one of the best liturgists in the 20th Century. He absolutely destroys the integrity by way of careful research the practices of the post-Vatican II Church with respect to the liturgy. Gamber is not a member of the SSPX or any group that has challenged Vatican II in its entirety. Rather, he is a conservative who understands the history of the liturgy and--this is of critical importance--the way in which the liturgy reflects theology, and vice versa.

He uses blunt, direct language and this is an easy read for anyone who wants to know more about the history of the Mass and, especially, whether the changes after Vatican II have any connection with historical practices of the Church. Were Gamber alive today he no doubt would sneer at the notion of the "hermeneutic of continuity" nonsense being preached by Rome these days.

For example, the present-day Mass is said with the priest facing the people. Gamber demonstrates in a methodical manner how the Mass said versus populum is a complete innovation and had no place whatsoever in the RC liturgy ever--at least until V2. He does not mince words and calls those liars who claim that having the priest facing the people is a restoration of ancient practice. In fact, he notes that there is not even a term for "facing the people" in the Latin or Orthodox Churches regarding the liturgy.

Gamber spends a great deal of space on the importance of the eastward position in liturgies, be they Christian, Jewish or pagan. He shows how, since the earliest days of Christianity, the eastward position for the liturgy was of paramount importance. It was Luther who pushed for Mass versus populum, which, not coincidentally, went right along with his theology that the Mass is but a meal, not a sacrifice, and this was adopted quickly by the Free Churches. Thus it may be said with all accuracy that the post-Vatican II Mass is indeed Protestant. Facing east involved everyone, priest included, a practice some have smeared by the vulgar claim that "the priest has his back to the people." Gamber makes it clear that this practice demonstrates a deep respect to God, in contrast to the present practice that stresses a community meal rather than a sacrifice.

The book concludes with several questions, with a reply to each one by Gamber, which are helpful to those who have been lied to. You will not be disappointed in this book if you care at all about the direction of the Church and of the integrity of the liturgy.

This is a very important work on the liturgy. Msgr. Klaus Gamber was a German liturgist. He wrote trenchant books and essays concerning the post-Vatican II reform of the liturgy. At times, this book has the feel of a polemic. Partly this is because it was written so soon after the jolting reforms of the liturgy. Those parts of the book written later seem a bit less polemical. Gamber makes a strong case that these reforms to the liturgy were a rupture, not a development. Amazingly, in a chapter entitled, "Does the Pope Have the Authority to Change the Rite?" Gamber all but says that Pope Paul VI went beyond the authority allowed a Pope. Gamber stops short of saying this, but he comes very close. Perhaps, even more surprising, then-Cardinal Ratzinger wrote the foreword to the French edition. (This should tell us much about Pope Benedict's understanding of the liturgy.)

The most compelling point in this book is its argument that the reform of the Roman Rite post-Vatican II represents a significant rupture rather than development in the liturgy. Gamber's case seems unimpeachable here. These reforms taken as a whole cannot be seen as a development of the Sacred Liturgy, but rather a departure, both from the Liturgy's traditional form and from the types of liturgical development that had come before. Liturgical reform previously had been organic. Changes had been small, incremental.

The most significant point here is Gamber's argument concerning the change in the priest's posture in the new rite from the priest and people facing the same direction to the priest facing the people from behind the altar (versus populum). Gamber shows that there is absolutely no precedent for this in the Tradition. Even in those Roman basilicas where the priest stood behind the altar, this was done to face the East (the ad orientem posture). When the priest faced the East, so did those attending Mass (i.e., they were turned away from the priest and towards the East). Thus, the priest and people were not facing each other, but turning to face the East (the rising sun and from whence the Son would come) in common. This is a point that Gamber hammers throughout the book. After reading this book, I think it is all the more imperative to restore the ad orientem posture of the priest to the Mass. (This is all the more important when one thinks of the Eastern Churches that to this day continue this orientation and with whom reunion is the most likely for the Roman Church.)

Perhaps the most disappointing thing about Gamber's book is that I failed to see any specific justification for abrogation of the reform as he is advocating. Certainly, there are comments such as "the new mass is a break with the tradition," assertions and insinuations that the new mass is the reason the churches have been emptied, liturgy must grow organically rather than by committee, and an emotive appeals to those who came of age with the Tridentine Rite. But all of these things are ultimately unsubstantiated claims that leave many questions themselves: how is this liturgy a break with tradition, how were the Tridentine reforms any less than growth by committee, is the new rite the only reason that the churches have emptied (let alone the primary reason), and what of those of us who have come of age with the new mass, now in celebration for nearly fifty years?
I can sympathize with Gambler on a number of points, not the least of which would be the reform of the new mass to bring it in to closer harmony with what was envision by Decree on the Sacred Liturgy and the end of a multitude of abuses in the name of "pastoral sensitivity." But I don't think this book makes the case that we necessarily need to return to the old mass, nor do I think it is, as some reviewers have stated, a positive advocate for the reform of the reform inasmuch as removal of the reform. I say the latter since at least some of the elements of the new mass that Gambler specifically opposes (including mass versus populum and the entirety of the rite in the vernacular at least some of the time) are permitted under the Decree
Gambler is a positive advocate for the "traditionalist" position, and he does so without having to stoop to the level of hearsay against the drafters of the new missal, but he is by no means the moderating voice some would make him out to be, at least not in this book.

Monsignor Gamber gives a scholarly treatise on a most important issue for the Roman Catholic Church (The Liturgy) and does so with reference to the Church's tradition, and without the electrical charge found in so many discussions of this topic. It is straightforward and factual, relying on numerous citations to buttress his opinion that there has indeed been a rupture from the traditional Liturgy, and that it does not bode well for the Church. In fact, it has thrown the orthodoxy and discipline of the Church into turmoil, and if we are to recover from it, we must look again to tradition. He points out that those who claim that the current Mass is more like the Mass celebrated in ancient times are not correct in their assertions, and he makes reference to many historical documents to prove it. I think that those who are tradition-minded will welcome this very well-written book, and those whose bent is toward modernity will consider it reactionary and regressive.

It it difficult to argue against the logic that the author presents in favor of continuity with the past, which is absent from the Novus Ordo. He gives us substantial reasons why the Liturgy was, in the past, exactly what it was, and why our departure from it is a different form of worship. Further, he gives us reasons why the Church should get back on the same "track" it has been "riding on" for nearly two thousand years.

Pope Benedict XVI has written and spoken in favor of this work, and recently has said much about the use of Gregorian Chant, which is really more compatabile with the traditional Latin Mass than with the Novus Ordo. In my opinion, the Church will move toward reinstating the Latin Tridentine Mass, but the process will be slow, and may not be completed for several generations. Therefore I do not hope to see it in my lifetime, but perhaps my grandchildren and great-grandchildren will.

Monsignor's book has been unofficially referred to as "The Reform of the Reform", an apt description.

The history of the Roman Liturgy is in itself worth reading if you are interested in this history - one can learn much about what actually did happen in the Church with respect to its worship.

This is a really good book. Fr Gamber gives a fair and balanced look at the changes in the mass. He makes some very good points that really get you thinking. He gives an especially strong and convincing defense of saying the mass "ad orientem", facing the altar (and tabernacle, if it's up front like it's SUPPOSED to be) rather than the people.

Msgr. Gamber's classic on the Liturgy after the Second Vatican Council is a work unique in the field because of the highly objective and unemotional approach which he takes to the issue. While Msgr. Gamber works out of the faulty proposition that the liturgy (and theology) of the Council of Trent was organic rather than recationary, he nonetheless makes an assessment accurate to his experience, and the experience of many others, of what worship is, should be or can be.

One is left to wonder, however, what conclusions might have been drawn if Msgr. Gamber had more experience to draw from in study of either pre-Constantinian worship or Eastern Orthodoxy. Three stars for an objective effort.