Some Key Points of the Motu Proprio, Letter to Bishops and Explanatory Note

Here are some of the key points of the Motu Proprio, the Holy Father's accompanying letter to bishops, and the Vatican's accompanying explanatory note released today concerning the Mass:

• The new rules go into effect on September 14, 2007.
• The "new" Form of the Mass promulgated by Pope Paul VI is still the ordinary Form of the Mass.
• The "old" Form of the Mass of St. Pius V, following the edition promulgated by Bl. John XXIII in 1962, is the extraordinary Form of the Mass.
• They are two usages of the one Roman rite.  They are not "two rites" but rather "two Forms" of one Rite.  There is no contradiction between them.  Rather than terms like "Tridentine Rite" or "New Rite," the Motu Proprio speaks of 2 Forms (Latin "usus").  (I have corrected this post accordingly from the original draft.)  As the term "Novus Ordo" means the "new ordinary," and the new Form is still the ordinary form, the term "Novus Ordo" still appears to be correct.
• The Vatican's explanatory note mentions that the 1962 Form says nothing about whether the priest or the altar is facing the people. 
• The previous conditions for the use of the 1962 Form in 'Quattuor abhinc annis' and 'Ecclesia Dei,' will be substituted with the provisions of the new Motu Proprio.  [My comment: As the new rules will be effective September 14, those 2 documents may still be followed for the next 2 months.]
• At Masses celebrated "without the people" a priest may use either Form without the bishop's permission except for the Easter Triduum.  The faithful may attend such Masses if they request to do so of their own free will [no minimum number of faithful is required].
• In "Communities of Institutes of consecrated life and of Societies of apostolic life" use of the 1962 Form is allowed in their oratories if (1) either an individual community or the entire Society wants to do so often; (2) a decision is made by the Superior Major; and (3) it is in accordance with the law and with their own decrees and statutes.
• In parishes where there is "a stable group of faithful"  [no specific minimum number] who want the 1962 Form, the pastor should "willingly accept their requests" under the "guidance of the bishop" and in accordance with canon 392.  This applies to daily Mass as well as for Sunday and feast days, marriages, funerals, and pilgrimages.  The use of the 1962 Form on certain other occasions (such as baptisms) is left to the pastor's discretion.
• The bishop remains the moderator of the liturgy in his diocese in full harmony with the Motu Proprio.  Problems may be referred to the pontifical commission Ecclesia Dei.
• The ordinary may erect a personal parish for the 1962 Form under canon 518.  An explanatory note from the Vatican states that it would be appropriate for the number of faithful to be substantial for a bishop to erect a personal parish for that purpose, even if the parish is not as large as other parishes of the diocese.
• The two Forms can be mutually enriching.  The Ecclesia Dei Commission will study practical possibilities such as adding new Saints and some of the new Prefaces to the 1962 Form.
• The positive reason that motivated the Holy Father's decision was a desire for unity within the Church.  He has a concern that, over the centuries, at critical moments when divisions were coming about, not enough was done to maintain or restore unity.
• The priests of communities using the 1962 Form cannot exclude celebrating according to the new Form, and they must recognize its value and holiness.
• In 3 years (September, 2010), bishops are invited to report their experiences of the new rules to the Vatican.  Remedies can be sought if there are "truly serious difficulties."

Comments

[David H. Lukenbill]

I just discovered your blog and appreciate the wonderful and well-formatted content.

I've been waiting for the Motu Proprio for sometime, as have many, and though we have found a Latin Mass parish approved by our bishop, it is important that Catholics, especially converts (like us) who've never experienced the Tridentine, to have access to it.

A Solemn High Mass is a true joy to behold!

Take care.

David

David H. Lukenbill, President
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