I am deeply committed to the Novus Ordo promulgated by Pope Saint Paul VI in 1969… This commitment emanates from the enormous continuity between the old rite and the new.
Richard Clark
In this article by Richard Clark, Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, we are reminded of the fundamental continuity between the ordinary form of the Mass (Novus Ordo) and that which came before. Sadly, of course, this continuity is sometimes eclipsed by less-than-ideal liturgical celebrations. He offers a number of practical suggestions that parishes can employ to make that continuity more clearly visible, which he derives from Pope Francis’ apostolic letter, Desiderio desideravi.
As you read the article, notice how many of the author’s suggestions are currently in place at St. Mark. We are truly blessed.
Music directors, accompanists, interested singers, parish clergy and seminarians: join us at St. Mark Catholic Church in Highlands Ranch for an intensive two-day conference designed to lay out the fundamentals of building a strong, faithful parish music program.
With the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, it is appropriate to consider anew his contributions to the Liturgy, the so-called “reform of the reform” in particular. In this video, Fr. Joseph Fessio of Ignatius Press gives an in-depth presentation on liturgical reform in the context of his relationship with Cardinal Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI.
This is not what we council fathers decided; this is against the decisions of the council. I cannot understand how the Holy Father could give his consent to such a thing.
Josef Cardinal Frings, 1969
The short article linked below gives us a little insight into how the Mass of Paul VI (aka the Ordinary Form) came to be.
The point of sharing this is not to shock our readers (though it might indeed raise some eyebrows). Rather, we just want to reaffirm why we are so concerned with conforming our liturgical celebrations to the authentic vision of Vatican II, as revealed in the document Sacrosanctum concilium.
It’s not about mere aesthetics or nostalgia: it’s simply about being faithful and giving God what is due Him.
More parishes are discovering Mass the way it was meant to be celebrated, returning to the authentic teaching of Vatican II. Take some time to watch this episode of The Catholic Talk Show, where they discuss “5 Ways to Improve the Novus Ordo Mass.”
How many of their suggestions do you see here at St. Mark every Sunday? Did they miss anything?
The Church’s existence lives from proper celebration of the liturgy, and the Church is in danger when the primacy of God no longer appears in the liturgy nor consequently in life.
Pope Benedict XVI
If you would like more insight into the reform of the liturgy, both before and after the Second Vatican Council, this article from Adoremus is worth your time. In it, the author traces liturgical developments in the 20th century through the eyes of Joseph Ratzinger, later Pope Benedict XVI.
Truth & Beauty 