52 of 55 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Recovery of a Dignified Tradition, February 24, 2008
This review is from: Sacred Then and Sacred Now: The Return of the Old Latin Mass (Paperback)
Thomas Woods wrote a thoughtful and useful survey of the restoration of the Latin Mass. For those who wondered what the conflicts were among Catholic Church authorities , this book gives a clear and concise explanation of these conflicts. For devout Catholics, these conflicts and differences were important. Non-catholics who may have an interest in the differences among Catholic authorities can learn something about the Catholic Faith and history.
Mr. Woods presents the conflict in an honest historical perspective as opposed to the silly media accounts which betrayed the ignorance of many journalists. Pope Benedict XVI DID NOT AND DOES NOT plan to abolish the newer 1970 Catholic Missal which has been falsely reported. Mr. Woods explains that Pope Benedict XVI wanted to restore the Roman Missal (the Latin Missal)to those who wanted it and preferred the older Tridentine Mass. If priests wanted to use the newer liturgy, that was fine with Pope Benedict XVI. The conflict arose when some Catholic authorities wanted to get rid of the Latin Rite and abolish the Roman Missal and consign the Latin and Roman Missal to the Orwellian Memory Hole. In other words, those Catholics who were taught in the use of the Roman Missal and the Tridentine Mass were immediately separated from what had always been sacred to them and to the Catholic Church for centuries.
Another issue that Mr. Woods discusses so well is the alleged "reforms" of Vatican II. Again the newer 1970 Missal was not the issue. What caused conflcit was innovation and trivialization of the Mass that resulted from misinterpretation of the 1970 Missal and "creativity" of making "reforms" which stunned many of the Vatican II attendees. They openly stated that what was done after Vatican II was not what these men intended. The Sacred Mass was turned into a circus.
For those who are not familar with the Latin Mass, Mr. Woods has a chapter (chapter 3)which serves as a useful guide to the Latin Mass and the Roman (Latin) Missal. Devout Catholics can better understand both the Latin Rite and the newer Mass by reading this chapter. Serious Catholics will have a better understanding of the order of the Mass (Latin Rite or the newer from). Mr. Woods devides the Latin Mass and the newer Mass as the Extraordinary Mass and the Ordinary Mass. Readers can easily understand both the similarities and fundamental differences.
Mr. Woods handles misconceptions and questions of the Tridentine Mass and the use of Latin. The complaint that younger Catholics will neither understand nor want the Roman Missal or the Latin Mass is not valid. This objection is refuted by the fact that many younger people are intrigued by the Latin Mass and do indeed want the Latin Rite restored to coexist with the newer Mass. Again, Mr.Woods is clear that restoration of the Latin Mass and Roman Missal is not designed to end the 1970 Missal.
Mr. Woods has some interesting historical comments in this book. He has an interesting statement about the First Eucharistic Prayer which he dates to the fourth century (the 300s AD). The remark that the Roman Missal only dates back to 1570 is refuted by the fact that the 1570 Roman Missal was based on a centuries long tradition which may have originated in the 700s. Mr. Woods' complaint is that to banish the Latin Rite and Roman Missal demeans the dignity and sacredness of the Latin Rite.
Mr. Woods has appendices which help explain the development or restoration of the Latin Mass. He includes Pope Benedict XVI's Letter to the Bishops to permit the Roman Missal and Latin Rite. There is also an appendix of resources for devout Catholics and Catholic clergy regarding the Latin Mass and the Roman Missal.
Two minor criticisms of this book is that more mention should have been made of the music associated with the Latin Mass. Some of this music is the best ever composed which many non-Catholics have openly admitted. Mr. Woods could have added an index which would have been helpful.
However, these minor criticisms are easily overcome by the clear, concise writing style. Mr. Woods presents himself as a well read and knowledgable individual. This book should consider anyone to further investigate the Roman Missal. Readers may want to read Mr. Woods HOW THE CATHOLIC CHURCH BUILT WESTERN CIVILIZATION after reading this book to know just how important the Catholic Church has been in Western Civilization. This reviewer strongly recommends both books.
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21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent discussion of the extraordinary form and the reasons it should be revived, March 8, 2008
This review is from: Sacred Then and Sacred Now: The Return of the Old Latin Mass (Paperback)
Mr. Woods has provided a masterful defense of Pope Benedict XVI's motu proprio Summorum Pontificum and his reasons for issuing it. This little book is well researched and well laid out, offering a simple and straightforward explanation of the tradition supporting the extraordinary form of the Latin Rite and its relevance to Catholics today. In addition to the text itself, Mr. Woods provides several appended documents to aid the reader, including Pope Benedict's explanatory letter to the bishops of the world and the motu proprio itself. I heard about this book through Father Z's excellent podcast and had to buy it immediately - it was money well spent! A+
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect book for a mental "transition", December 22, 2008
This review is from: Sacred Then and Sacred Now: The Return of the Old Latin Mass (Paperback)
I'm 30 and just recently came across the latin Mass.
I was looking for something to help me "translate" mentally from the ordinary Mass that I grew up with, to the extrodinary form. I've read a couple of books, and this one is the best.
Some booklets are angry. Angry at the reformers, the reforms, etc. They gave me some useful information. Or some books assume you know nothing about the Mass period. So, they go over the real presence, etc, which I already know about.
I just wanted to know about the actions in this form of the Mass. Why is the priest facing away from the people? Why Latin? Why do we kneel to receive communion? Why does the priest do this or that action?
It also covers the history of the reform of the Mass over the centuries. What Popes have done what. It covers Ratzinger's concerns through all of it.
It is also a medium difficuly to read. Not too hard, but not a cake walk.
Very good book. I want to get a copy for all my friends.
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