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“Ask a Priest: Is the Novus Ordo Mass a Threat to the Faith?”

August 27, 2024 / Ask a Priest, Mass, the Eucharist and Priests

Q: I’m a cradle Catholic who has attended primarily Novus Ordo Mass most of my life. Can you please explain how is my faith under threat by attending this valid form of Mass? I’m not sure how this can be and would like clarification. I’m terribly confused by this because my faith is everything to me. I attend daily Mass, go to confession every two weeks, and receive Communion. My fiancé was newly initiated into the Church. He watched a talk on social media from an exorcist priest who called the Novus Ordo “a threat to faith.” My fiancé, quoting the exorcist, said something about Novus Ordo having extraordinary ministers giving Communion. But I don’t see the connection between this and my faith being under threat. Am I missing something? – R.P.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A: No, you aren’t missing anything.

The Novus Ordo Mass was promulgated by Pope St. Paul VI in 1969 and is perfectly valid. Popes St. John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis had or have no problem celebrating the Novus Ordo.

The Novus Ordo has been attacked by some people because of some abuses and sloppiness that have gone on and continue to go on.

This includes priests who improvise prayers, allow non-ordained people to give homilies, and resort to theatrics in the sanctuary. While these kinds of abuses can weaken a person’s faith, they aren’t allowed by the Novus Ordo rubrics.

My short advice is for you and your fiancé to study the faith together, relying on solid authors and theologians.

For something readily accessible, you might want to view Father Mike Schmitz’s yearlong series on the Bible or on the Catechism.

For particular questions, check out the Catholic Answers site. And for worthwhile reading, check out Trent Horn’s list.

Make some of this part of your ongoing formation in the faith, and you and your fiancé will be on the right road. Count on my prayers.

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“Ask a Priest: What If I Hear the Novus Ordo Mass Attacked?”

December 5, 2023 / Ask a Priest, Mass, the Eucharist and Priests

Q: I grew up with the Latin Mass and then, post Vatican II, welcomed the Novus Ordo Mass, which I have been attending for the past 50-plus years. So many people, even friends of mine who celebrate the traditional Latin Mass, say that the “new” Mass is irreverent, it is not the true Mass, and it is a false service. Then I saw an interview with a bishop who called the Novus Ordo Mass “counterfeit.” This makes me so angry. The sacrifice of the Mass has sustained me throughout my life and now it is under attack. How do I answer these dark remarks? Thanks, and God bless you! – K.R.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A: It’s good to hear that the Mass has sustained you throughout your life. What a great grace!

While there have been a lot of liturgical abuses over the years, those in no way detract from the core value of the Novus Ordo Mass. Those who say it isn’t a true Mass simply aren’t in line with the Church.

The Novus Ordo is reverently celebrated in numerous churches every day. And many people appreciate being able to understand everything in their own language and to participate actively in the celebration.

So how can you answer the dark remarks? There might not be a simple answer; just about any response could fan the flames of debate.

If you feel compelled to reply, you could simply share what you mentioned in your e-mail: that the Novus Ordo has helped you a lot for more than a half-century.

That simple witness might be the most powerful, least confrontational thing you could say.

Let’s pray for the Church. The devil is doing his best to sow disunity.

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“Ask a Priest: What About Pope Francis and the Traditional Latin Mass?”

July 27, 2021 / Ask a Priest, Mass, the Eucharist and Priests

Q: What do you think about what our beloved Holy Father said about the Latin Mass? I am curious but have never attended one. I personally think it is a good thing. The fruit I have seen from it (folks that attend Latin Mass are such devoted practicing Catholics). It makes total sense to move toward learning Latin so we all can travel and understand the Mass wherever we go. The language does not change or “evolve.” – P.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A: You are referring to Pope Francis’ recent apostolic letter Traditionis Custodes, which aims to give bishops more control over the celebration of the extraordinary form of the Roman-rite Mass.

This form is often referred to as the traditional Latin Mass or the Tridentine Mass (named for the Council of Trent, where it was approved).

Francis hasn’t prohibited the celebration of the Mass in Latin. The ordinary form (also known as the Novus Ordo, what is typically celebrated in parishes) could be celebrated in Latin if the pastor has the appropriate liturgical books and chooses to do so.

The Pope’s letter addresses the older form of the Mass which was always done in Latin. His document came in response to concerns from various bishops.

Let’s back up a bit to 2007.

In that year Pope Benedict XVI issued an apostolic letter that gave priests wide leeway to celebrate Mass in the extraordinary form. By making the older style of Mass more readily available to those who desired it, Benedict hoped that the move, among other things, would foster unity within the Church.

Yet, some bishops detected that the opposite has happened: that some people who embraced the traditional Latin Mass have done so in a divisive way.

Some people have used the traditional Latin Mass as a kind of launching pad from which to attack the Novus Ordo Mass and the Second Vatican Council, and to distance themselves from the mainstream of parish life. Francis’ letter aims to rein in that problem by shifting more authority from individual priests to the bishops.

Of course, not everyone who loves the traditional Latin Mass has caused division. Many fine Catholics love the Tridentine Mass for its sense of dignity and mystery, and they derive great benefit from it. Those folks can take comfort that Pope Francis hasn’t banned the Tridentine Mass outright; for it can still be celebrated with a bishop’s permission.

Indeed, in the wake of Francis’ letter, some bishops have stated that the groups in favor of the traditional Latin Mass have been something good for their diocese.

As for the ideal of everyone knowing Latin and being able to understand the Mass everywhere (in Latin): that has been an elusive goal. That is one reason why the Mass is commonly celebrated in the vernacular.

In any case, the bishops’ expanded oversight of the traditional Latin Mass could help ensure that it feeds the faithful in such a way to foster unity and not division within the Church.

Keep learning more with Ask a Priest

Got a question? Need an answer?

Today’s secular world throws curve balls at us all the time. AskACatholicPriest is a Q&A feature that anyone can use. Just type your question HERE and you will get a personal response back from one of our priests at RCSpirituality. You can ask about anything – liturgy, prayer, moral questions, current events… Our goal is simply to provide a trustworthy forum for dependable Catholic guidance and information. So go ahead and ask your question…

“Ask a Priest: What About Pope Francis and the Traditional Latin Mass?” Read More »

Novus Ordo

“Ask a Priest: Is the Novus Ordo Mass a Threat to the Faith?”

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“Ask a Priest: What If I Hear the Novus Ordo Mass Attacked?”

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“Ask a Priest: What About Pope Francis and the Traditional Latin Mass?”

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Alex Kucera

Atlanta