Dear Father L,
I am a daily mass goer, and I love going to mass. While the Second Vatican Council introduced changes to the liturgy, the Tridentine Latin Mass continues to be a source of spiritual enrichment and connection to the Church’s tradition. For many of the faithful, this rite has been considered a bridge to the sacred, a unique way of experiencing the reverence, mystery, and solemnity that accompany the central act of Christian life: the Eucharistic sacrifice. I am sorry to say but the modern mass (Novus Ordo) in our own language is not valid, and it is a protestantized worship in the Catholic Church. That the Church should go back and continue with the Latin and Tridentine rubrics in Mass.
PS- I am visiting Macau in June this year.
Manuel
Dear Manuel,
The Catholic theology is not vague or emotional—it is precise. For the Eucharist to be valid, four elements are required: Valid matter (bread and wine), Valid form (the words of consecration), Valid minister (a validly ordained priest), Proper intention (to do what the Church does). The Novus Ordo Mass satisfies all four. It has been affirmed repeatedly by: The Magisterium, The Code of Canon Law and Every legitimate Pope since Vatican II. To deny the validity of the Novus Ordo is to resurrect Donatism—the ancient heresy that tied sacramental efficacy to externals and human purity.
We may recall that Catholic Church has many rites – Unity is not uniformity. The Catholic Church has never claimed that one liturgical expression exhausts the mystery of Christ. Those legitimate Catholic rites include Byzantine, Syriac, Armenian, Coptic, Chaldean and the Maronite. These rites: Do not use Latin, do not resemble the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM). They are fully Catholic and they do not attack the Novus Ordo. If Latin and Tridentine rubrics were essential to validity, then millions of Catholics across Eastern rites would be sacramentally deficient—which the Church has never taught. The holy scripture reminds us: “There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:4) Hence, language is not a barrier to God’s grace. Style is not a measure of holiness. Unity does not require liturgical monoculture.
If some groups love the Traditional Latin Mass, they should show respect to others. The problem is not loving the Latin Mass. The problem is weaponizing it. Faithful communities such as: FSSP (Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter) and the ICKSP (Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest) celebrate the TLM with reverence while remaining obedient to the Holy See. They prove that tradition and obedience are not enemies.
The charge that the Novus Ordo Mass is Protestant is theologically unfounded. The Novus Ordo retains sacrificial language. It explicitly teaches transubstantiation and it requires a valid priesthood, and it Is centered on the Eucharistic sacrifice, not a memorial meal. Protestant worship has no sacrificial priesthood and no real presence. The Novus Ordo has both—because it is Catholic.
To defy the authority Christ gave His Church while claiming to defend tradition is a contradiction. Christ did not leave behind a museum of rituals—He founded a living Church. “He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me.” (Luke 10:16) The Novus Ordo Mass is valid, licit, sacrificial, and sanctifying. To deny this is not fidelity—it is fracture. To reject it is not courage, it is pride. To undermine it is not tradition, it is rebellion.
Love the Traditional Latin Mass if you will.
Attend it reverently where permitted.
But do not attack the Mass of the Church.
Because in the end, the Eucharist is Christ Himself, not Latin, not nostalgia.
And Christ is never divided.
When you are in Macau, I will be gladly welcome you to my English Mass at the Catedral.
Sincerely,
Father L.
Letters are welcome at: OClarimEnglish2022@gmail.com
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