Is the Other Shoe (or should we say atomic bomb) about to Drop on the TLM (and the Novus Ordo)?

Novus Ordo Clown Mass celebrated in Orlando in 2008.
The craziness continues in many places!

We all know Francis hates the Traditional Latin Mass and all the other Sacraments 
celebrated according to the traditional form. Despite having at least 1500 years behind them and faithfully transmitting the dogmas of the faith, all the sacraments as practiced before the Vatican II revolution must be trashed! Francis seems determined to crush all things traditional in the name of ecumenism. 

Ultimately, that's what this is all about, ECUMENISM.  And it has been since Bugnini (secretary to the Consilium that created the new Mass) vowed to remove anything that was a stumbling block to our separated brethren. If the Protestants wouldn't like it, out it went. 

Three things absolutely had to go: 

1) The fact that the Mass is a sacrifice to atone for sin; 

2) The essential nature of an ordained priest to offer the sacrifice rather than a "presider;" and, finally, 

3) minimizing Transubstantiation. Remove anything explicit about the essential change of the offerings and let the chips fall where they may!

Is it any wonder that so many Catholics no longer believe that the bread and wine BECOME the Body and Blood of Christ at the Consecration? They've joined the Protestant belief that it's all symbolic and there's nothing in the Novus Ordo form to explicitly confirm the dogma.

All three of these essential aspects of the Mass had to be watered down or eliminated to make the Mass acceptable to the Protestants. That was the goal and the Protestantizers accomplished it well. In effect, they Protestantized all the sacraments, not just the Mass. 

Keep in mind that the Novus Ordo came from a committee (the Consilium) after the Council, not from the Council Fathers themselves. (See a little history about the "reform" here.) Unfortunately, there was little resistance from the hierarchy to the revolution inaugurated by a handful of activists. The silence on the Mass joined the silence on Humanae Vitae while the dissenters had a field day with their creative celebrations. The sanctuary was filled with lay "ministers" and the churches resounded with bongo drums and guitars as liturgical dancers fluttered down the aisles with "presiders" dressed in butterfly vestments.

The rumor coming out of Rome now is that Francis is preparing to release an Apostolic Constitution all but banning the TLM everywhere. Apostolic Constitutions and Decrees are the highest form of papal documents, even more authoritative than Encyclicals. 

According to Adoremus: 

At the top of the hierarchy of authoritative documents are apostolic constitutions and decrees issued by popes, such as the Second Vatican Council documents. The Catechism of the Catholic Church was presented by the apostolic constitution Fidei Depositum in 1992. These documents, along with the Code of Canon Law (1983) have binding authority on the entire Church. These are legislative documents, containing dogmatic or doctrinal elements.

Remember when the revolutionaries insisted that Vatican II was a "pastoral council" and wouldn't change any of the dogmas? That was then; this is now. The post Vatican II world became a liturgical lab experiment!

 Let's pray the document really is "just a rumor," but Robert Moynahan from Inside the Vatican issued a letter on January 18th that should spur all Catholics to increased prayer and sacrifice for the poor battered Bride of Christ. Do penance, friends, and stick close to your guardian angel!

Letter #23, 2023 Wednesday, January 18: “No secrets”

    I just received a fascinating letter, which I publish below.

    I took my distance a bit yesterday (see this link) from the “rumors” in Rome that Pope Francis may soon issue a new decree further restricting the celebration of the old Mass.

    Then, I received this letter. It begins: “As we both know, there are no real ‘secrets’ in Rome.”

    Then, essentially, the letter-writer tells me that the “rumor” does in fact contain a truth: that there is a draft Vatican document which would further restrict the celebration of the old Mass.

    The letter is from a priest who confided in me that “an archbishop in the States has seen this document.”

    The archbishop, he continues, “confirmed to a priest friend of mine (who is a person of true integrity and would not casually spread rumor), that it does indeed contain what some have guessed at — a further suppression of the TLM…”

    I replied to the letter-writer, confirmed his identity, and know that the letter is not a prank, but a serious communication.

    I regard it as credible. (If I did not, I would not publish it here.)

    The news is “second-hand” because it comes from another priest, who learned of this from an archbishop, but I am persuaded that the “chain of witness” is not so fragile as to discredit the report.

    ***

    Why publish it now, in this form?

    Because it seems important that Catholics who love the old Mass, and who feel and believe that it comforts and supports them spiritually, and helps them to conform their minds and souls more closely to Christ, and so to better work out their salvation, should be aware of and informed about what the leaders of the Church are planning with regard to the old Mass.

    For many thousands, this is not a “game of rites” played by hierarchs, but a profoundly serious spiritual matter that affects their souls and the souls of many, including their children, intimately.

    Benedict XVI made strong arguments in favor of his 2007 decision to permit and, in a sense, to embrace the old Mass as a legitimate, honored part of our tradition.     

    His arguments remain powerful and persuasive, 15 years later… in spite of his departure from this world on December 31. —RM 

SUPPORT THE MOYNIHAN LETTERS

    The text of an email received this morning, January 18, 2023:

    Hi Robert,

    As we both know, there are no real “secrets” in Rome.

    So without revealing the identity, I can tell you, that an archbishop in the States has seen this document about which rumors abound, and confirmed to a priest friend of mine (who is a person of true integrity and would not casually spread rumor), that it does indeed contain what some have guessed at—a further suppression of the TLM, with an exception for religious orders who solely celebrate privately (no parish churches), and some possible further clarifications for the FSP.

    It was “found necessary” to issue this second letter, because of the lack of implementation of Pope Francis’ motu proprio by a good number of bishops around the world (by using Canon 87, etc.)

    It is scheduled for release sometime in April or May, and would carry the “weight” of an Apostolic Exhortation (to match that of St Paul VI formally establishing the New Rite). [Moynihan sent out a correction on Monday saying it was an "Apostolic Constitution" according to the bishop who saw the document. It carries significantly more weight than an Apostolic Exhortation .]

    It would, effectively, take away from the bishops, any further say or exceptions in the matter.

    If issued, I believe, it will push the TLM [Traditional Latin Mass] “underground” and further add to the ranks of the Pius X Society (which has already grown by three times since the issuance of the motu proprio by Pope Francis).

    This will not end well.

     The TLM will survive — whether any Catholics will continue to go to a further watered-down Novus Ordo (which is also supposed to be a part of this document), will remain to be seen — attendance at weekly Sunday Mass by Catholics is currently at 12% in the United States (in most dioceses); it is 2.5% in the Netherlands.

    If I learn of any further information on all of this, I will be sure to send you an update.

    God bless and thank you for all you do.

    —From a priest who belongs to one of the traditional orders

    =================

    Note: In 2007, on August 17 (15 years ago now) I gave a talk on the old liturgy in St. Cecilia Church in Tustin, California, entitled: “Motu Proprio: Why the Latin Mass? Why now?” The lecture came only weeks after Pope Benedict XVI issued Summorum Pontificum on July 7, 2007, granting wider permission to celebrate Mass according to the old rite. Some have said that it was the best talk I ever gave. I do feel I touched on many of the points that help to explain why Benedict chose to do what he did. Copies of a CD of that 2007 talk of mine are available at this link: 2007 Talk On The Old Mass.