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Benedict XVI's Reform: The Liturgy Between Innovation and Tradition

Benedict XVI's Reform: The Liturgy Between Innovation and Tradition

by Nicola Bux

When Benedict XVI reestablished the celebration of the older Latin Mass, voices of protest rose up from many sides. The widespread fear was-and is-that the Pope had revealed himself as the reactionary defender of tradition that many have accused him of being since he was the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the former Holy Office.

Defenders of Benedict XVI have responded to these objections by explaining that the use of the Tridentine Rite is not a "step backward" to pre-Vatican II times, but rather a step forward. Now the Church can see what the older rite offered in terms of beauty, reverence, and meaning and perhaps desire more of those elements in the ordinary form of the Mass.

A professor of theology and liturgy, the author of this book explains the motives behind the Pope's decision to allow two forms of the Mass. He does this by turning to the Pope's own theological and liturgical writings, but he also draws from his experiences on various Church commissions and in offices of the Roman Curia.

The author also brings to his subject an astute understanding of current social and spiritual trends both inside and outside the Church. Sensitive to modern man's hunger for the sacred, he desires with Pope Benedict XVI that the Mass be first and foremost a place of encounter with the living God.

Nicola Bux is a priest of the Archdiocese of Bari and a professor of eastern liturgy and sacramental theology. He has studied and taught in Jerusalem and in Rome. He is a consultor to the Congregations for the Doctrine of the Faith and for the Causes of Saints and consultant of the international Catholic theological journal Communio. He was recently named a consultor to the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

"I wish to thank Ignatius Press for the timely publication...

... in English of this new book by Nicola Bux, well known for his stance in promotion of the ideas of the Holy Father concerning the repair of the liturgical breach. "Timely" is the right word not because there is anything particularly new in the book, which might throw the advantage in "battle" to either reform group whether it be to those favoring restoration of the Roman Rite and subsequent organic growth within the tradition going back to St. Gregory the Great or be it to the reform of the reform people. Bux honestly and rightly makes his case for rallying to the standard of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. He speaks clearly and convincingly of his understanding of the Pope's will that the usus antiquior find more general use everywhere (in every parish?) of the Catholic Church, thus enabling it to be that mirror to aid the reform of the reformed liturgy.

Bux touches masterfully upon the unquestionable merits of the Mass of the Ages when it comes to fulfilling that which is liturgy's role in the heart of the Church. He argues certain points better than I have seen in the dozen or more books on the topic, which I've had occasion to read and reflect upon over the last few years. Well done! And, yes, timely, Ignatius Press! Thank you!

I find myself particularly sensitive to and in agreement with his arguments, quoting the Pope, concerning kneeling as a posture for both liturgy and prayer (not to limit discussion to the reception of Holy Communion):

Read the rest of Archbishop Thomas E. Gullickson's review of Nicola Bux's new book, Benedict XVI's Reform: The Liturgy Between Innovation and Tradition. Here is more about the book:

When Benedict XVI reestablished the celebration of the older Latin Mass, voices of protest rose up from many sides. The widespread fear was-and is-that the Pope had revealed himself as the reactionary defender of tradition that many have accused him of being since he was the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the former Holy Office.

Defenders of Benedict XVI have responded to these objections by explaining that the use of the Tridentine Rite is not a "step backward" to pre-Vatican II times, but rather a step forward. Now the Church can see what the older rite offered in terms of beauty, reverence, and meaning and perhaps desire more of those elements in the ordinary form of the Mass.

A professor of theology and liturgy, the author of this book explains the motives behind the Pope's decision to allow two forms of the Mass. He does this by turning to the Pope's own theological and liturgical writings, but he also draws from his experiences on various Church commissions and in offices of the Roman Curia.

The author also brings to his subject an astute understanding of current social and spiritual trends both inside and outside the Church. Sensitive to modern man's hunger for the sacred, he desires with Pope Benedict XVI that the Mass be first and foremost a place of encounter with the living God.

Nicola Bux is a priest of the Archdiocese of Bari and a professor of eastern liturgy and sacramental theology. He has studied and taught in Jerusalem and in Rome. He is a consultor to the Congregations for the Doctrine of the Faith and for the Causes of Saints and consultant of the international Catholic theological journal Communio. He was recently named a consultor to the Office of Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff.

As a deaf person, now Nicola knows how *I* felt when I converted. Now I have to learn different responses thanks to Papa Benedict, and if this is to be understood a third remake altogether. :)

And people keep telling me that the Church is against change? It’s changed more in the 6 years I’ve been there probably more than in the last 40. :)

As a replacement of the Ordo, sure, but I believe the extraordinary form should be retained.

http://thepracticingcatholic.com/2012/09/26/whats-the-deal-with-the-sign-of-peace/

A reasonable compromise would be to have mikes worn and perhaps a rolling display of the prayers both in Latin in English projected roughly where the hymn numbers are. Is it silly? I think the author has a valid point that unlike in better times, the congregation does not know the Latin.

A good step for the Novus Ordo would be to turn the priest toward God, for starters, and add Hail Mary and prayer to St. Michael, and St. John’s Prologue.

As to the calendar, can we have the traditional saints celebrated again? St. George, St. Christopher, St. Lazarus, St. Elijah? Please?

I had heard a few years ago that he was a fan of kneeling and am glad to see it mentioned again.

Old Rite with New Rite’s 3 year cycle of readings. I can live (happily) with that. I first heard that recommended by a former SSPX priest in 1996!

Didn’t Fr. Fessio already try this, and did not receive huge support from Pope John Paul II or Cardinal Ratzinger?

Our Mass is currently a blend of the two and is quite lovely. We use the Adoremus Hymnals. Lots of beautiful old songs in there! The Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus and Lord’s Prayer are all in Latin. The church is in an older part of downtown KC and homeschool families come from all over the metro to attend Mass there. The choir is magnificent! I don’t ever want to move from this area strictly because of the amazing Mass. I don’t ever want to go back to the hand clapping, back slapping, humorous Masses we’ve attended before. I only want holy and reverent for the rest of my life. I had no idea how incredible it could be.