Customer Reviews

Sacred Then and Sacred Now: The Return of the Old Latin Mass

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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+

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.

It's almost a year since Pope Benedict issued his Motu Proprio `Summorum Pontificum' in which he decreed - not "opined" or "suggested" but authoritatively "decreed" - that the more ancient form of Mass - often called the "traditional Latin Mass" - had never in fact been abrogated (juridically banned).

The importance of this was missed by much of the media - Catholic and otherwise - who reported `Summorum Pontificum' more or less as a personal move of a conservative pope. It was, rather, a profound and definitive correction of a grave injustice being perpetrated over the past four decades of liturgical history, for as Pope Benedict wrote in his accompanying letter, "In the history of the liturgy there is growth and progress, but no rupture. What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too, and it cannot be all of a sudden entirely forbidden or even considered harmful. It behoves all of us to preserve the riches which have developed in the Church's faith and prayer, and to give them their proper place."

This is precisely the point that Thomas E. Woods makes in his book which, it must be said, will serve as a good introduction to the questions and issues that lie behind the Pope's decree.

This book is also a good general introduction to the "usus antiquior" - the more ancient use or form of the Roman rite of the sacred liturgy - for those who know little or nothing about it, providing as it does a brief guide to the Mass rite as well as chapters dealing with important features of the older liturgy and common misconceptions concerning it. The inclusion of the texts of the Pope's decree and accompanying letter and a list of resources are also helpful

Whilst there are a couple of quirks in the text - whether the Leonine prayers are in fact still obligatory after a low Mass is debatable; any Catholic deacon may ordinarily distribute Holy Communion, not just those on the way to the priesthood on "rare occasions"; the guide to the rite of Mass sometimes confuses the rubrics of low and solemn Mass; the asperges is only customary before the principal Sunday Mass, etc. - Woods has compiled a book that will take its rightful place as a resource in its own right as the liturgy of the Catholic Church continues to recover in the twenty-first century much of what was so unfortunately cast aside in the latter part of the twentieth.

As someone who is entirely new to the Extraordinary Form (the traditional Latin Mass) I was thrilled by this little book. If you are looking for a concise book that explains why the Pope's recent Motu Proprio was issued and what the results will hopefully be, this is the book for you.

There is also an excellent brief chapter that walks one through the general outlines of the Extraordinary Form and how it differs from the way most Catholics attend Mass today. There is so much theological depth in the prayers, and the rite is so spiritually enriching, that I cannot imagine going back to the Ordinary Form (the new Mass) again. As a musician I have only heard Palestrina and Tallis as part of my record collection. To hear this music alive, (no I do not mean "live") in its living context of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is something I will never forget. I knelt in the pew holding my baby and I had tears streaming down my face the first time I heard it. Why have we been denied so much beauty these past 40 years? Why did we throw away the transcendent in favor of the banal? You haven't lived until you have heard Tallis' Mass in 4 parts during a living and real liturgy with the sounds of life surrounding you. My baby's cooing, another baby's crying, the transcendent beauty of the liturgy, the incense filled chapel, the beautiful music, the realization that we with the priest were orientated towards our GOD, Our Lord Jesus Christ, truly present in the Holy Eucharist, and that our prayers could be united to his as God worked a miracle through him right then and there, the mystical connection with our Catholic forebears who worshiped in much this way for over 2000 years, all this combined to almost knock me over. I was AWED. This book may help you understand why so many Catholics are confused by the liturgical abuses of today.

Even though it is my personal opinion (I am just a member of the laity) that the Extraordinary Form is in every way superior to the Ordinary Form, this does not seem to be the opinion of this author, nor does it seem to be the opinion of our Pope, to whom we owe our obedience. Do not let my "converts" zeal for the Extraordinary Form put you off from this book. Even if you are dubious about Mass in a language we "cannot understand" and cannot fathom why Father would "turn his back on you" during Mass, it would be a good idea to read this book; it should not offend. It is humbly and carefully written as an introduction, nothing more. There is an excellent chapter that answers these (and other) common misconceptions about the Mass of Tradition as well.

I have assisted at the Extraordinary Form just 5 times in my life, all of these after the Pope's Motu Proprio was issued. The experience has been life transforming. We have a growing family, having returned to the Church because of the beauty of the Church's teaching on sex and sexuality and we were incredibly afraid of the Extraordinary Rite when the Motu Proprio first came out, even though we knew in our heart that God was calling us to worship Him in this way. "What will they say to me if the baby is crying? Will they give me dirty looks? Kick me out of the Church? Will the musicians in the Schola complain if my youngest are too noisy? After all, the kids are probably going to be less good because they can't understand what is going on... right?" These are the questions both my wife and I (but mostly me) had running around our heads.

Never, never in my life, did I have concerns that we so unfounded. The people at the Extraordinary Rite mass were very welcoming. Some it seemed had never attended a Novus Ordo Mass (perhaps they had returned after being away with SSPX or the sedevacantists? Many were very young and incredibly well versed in the rite). Others we just as confused as we were. Yet there we all were, worshiping our Lord together, and the children were great, even if there was crying from different corners of the Church throughout the mass. This bothered no one. No dirty looks, no recriminating glances. People were generous, and EVERYONE there seemed to BELIEVE in what the Church taught. There were no strange "are all those kids yours?" looks on people's faces. I knew that I was home as soon as I walked in. This is where the faithful are.

This is a great little book, one can read it in just a day, but it will provide the reader with a wealth of insight into the whys and wherefores of the Extraordinary Form.

Addenda: Added April 8th 2011

Having re-read this book recently I am still impressed with it. HOWEVER, one should be aware that Woods is not really interested in impartial scholarship, on any question. When one reads Woods, one is reading a gifted apologist. His tendency is to argue strongly for a position. What detracts from his work is that he doesn't treat his interlocutors with the respect they deserve, and he tends to deal offhandedly with their arguments in a manner that is, at least occasionally, unfair.

Furthermore, despite his public profession of Catholicism, his criticism of Pope Benedict's recent social encyclical, his ignoring of all matters of the faith in favor of libertarianism (something clearly condemned in Rerum Novarum), his lack of respect for the U.S. constitution and even flaunting the rule of law, these things give this reader at least CONSIDERABLE pause. Dr. Woods will admit he is increasingly radical. The sad thing about this is that it leads me to question how strong his arguments are even in his earlier works on the faith. If this is his pattern: simply advocating for radical and outside the mainstream positions effectively and articulately, then I think his credibility as a scholar is permanently called into question.

That said, this book is excellent and is a beautiful introduction to the Latin Mass, and much of the scholarship that Woods cites is quite good. However, don't assume that Woods gives us a full and fair treatment, of any subject.

Addenda: added April 21st:

I have been reading more about Tom Woods on line. I have read some very concerning things vis a vis the League of the South. In his defense, Woods has vociferously denied an association with the group, and we are all inclined to do things in our early 20s which should be forgotten and forgiven. This could be nothing, and Woods ought to be given the benefit of the doubt. However, his most recent book (which is about nullification) would seem to be an apologia for the Confederacy and the ideology animating it. This reader finds this EXTREMELY troubling. I will not delete my positive reviews of Woods earlier books yet. That would require me to repudiate Woods entirely, and that will only occur after I have finished reading "Nullification" and looking deeper into Woods association with the League of the South. However, as a Catholic who loves the old liturgy, I am shocked and saddened to have to be adding this addenda to reviews of Woods work. Anyone who rejects Vatican II needs to be treated as suspect, because what often animates that rejection is distaste for social justice and positive relations between religions.

Although a very short book, it explains the Extraordinary form of the mass; it's nuances and objections, as well as the reason that Pope Benedict "brought it back." This is an excellent book which gave me a deeper love and longing for a regular TLM, as well as a more general "awareness" of the liturgy.

There was a whole chapter devoted to a walk-thorough of the extraordinary form of the mass. I found this to be extremely helpful, as I have had the pleasure of living in an area which offers the mass according to the Tridentine rite on the first and third Saturday's of the month for the past year. Just being somewhat farmiliar with how a typical tridintine mass goes, I was able to easily follow along with the author and learn new terminology as well as why certain things are done and what their origins are. It made me appreciate the extraordinary form of the mass even more. At the end of the chapter, the author notes that his wife prefers the low mass because it is one of her few opportunities for quite reflection away from children. This is exactly the same reason I related to my wife recently why I like the extraordinary form of the mass; it is my time to be alone with Jesus in quiet solitude.

One of the chapters dealt with many misconceptions about what Vatican II did and did not do. Some things that the council did not do was allow communion in the hand and allow female altar girls. Though I was aware of this, the author references the actual documents where these changes are in fact made. He then goes on to give a very compelling argument as to why a girl should never be an alter server. He also discusses the theological problems with extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion and how it can undermine the role of the priest. This chapter was a gem, steeped in thinking which has the mass a the propitiatory sacrifice as a backdrop for all his arguments. That is the problem with so much thinking today; no one really knows/cares/understands what the purpose of the mass is and hence, their thinking and conclusions that they come to is very bad. Here, however, you will not find that.

The final chapter is devoted to answering many (stupid) objections that people raise, including why the priest "has his back" to the people (or is it audience?). The author points out how this question really makes it all about the person and not about God, and we are back to square one where people simply don't understand the purpose and nature of the mass. This chapter also deals with what TRUE participation in the liturgy by the laity is, as opposed to false participation that is often espoused by people.

All in all, this book has given me an even greater frustration for the "new" mass, and a deeper longing to regularly participate in the Tridintine rite. It's funny the kinds of crosses and sufferings that God places in our lives sometimes. I'm more and more beginning to think that one of mine is not having the option of a regular, weekly TLM. Yet, as the books makes clear, the mass is the mass, the re-presentation of the holy sacrifice of Jesus to God the Father, and in that sense, any valid mass is a taste of heaven. It just isn't always obvious to all of us.

Excellent book. It will be very difficult to return to the old, pre-Vatican II church, but if anyone can lead us there, Pope Benedict XVI can. It will be up to us to freely respond to be faithful to our shepherd. The Old Latin Mass is an example of one element from the past that the church needs to bring back. Those who do not follow our Pope in this will have freely made their decision.

This is the first publication in the book format to deal with the "Extraordinary Form" of the Roman Rite and is a "must" for anyone interested in the latest developments of the "Liturgical Renewal" dealing with the rediscovery of the ancient form of the liturgy. Sadly, the motu proprio did not heal the separation of the Society of St. Pius X but may be in due time this also will happen.

This is a great book. I personally see it as a possible "call of return". I myself along with many others left the Catholic Church due to the Novus Ordo. I and my fellow 'faithful protesters' are taking a wait and see attitude. We may return if the "Trindentine Rite" is fully established similar to how Rome accepted the Eastern Rite Catholics, whom so few Catholics even know about. All in all -- I'm hopeful, but cautious.

Tom Woods lays it down like tile once again with this short introduction to the Traditional Roman Rite of the Mass. Apart from devoting a chapter to learning how to celebrate the Mass he provides history on the Mass and explains why Pope Benedict's Summorum Pontificum was a generous act of common sense.