Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Fr. Fessio on the "Old Mass" and "Mass of Vatican II"

[A reader sent this in to me earlier this evening; if you are going, let the NLM know.]

How to Avoid Mass Confusion

Father Fessio Talks about Pope Benedict,
the Old Mass & the Mass of Vatican II


Pope Benedict's recent document on the Mass according to the 1962 Missal—the "Tridentine Mass"—has raised some important questions for Catholics today. How should we view the "Old Mass"? What did Vatican II say about the renewal of the Sacred Liturgy? Did the "new Mass" of the 1970 Missal achieve what Vatican II sought? What is the true "Spirit of the Liturgy" on which the Holy Father has written? What role can or should Latin play in liturgical worship according to the Roman Rite? Did Vatican forbid Mass "facing the Lord"? Why did the Holy Father establish the "Old Mass" as the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite? What about the New Liturgical Movement that seeks a "reform of the Reform"?

Father Joseph Fessio, S.J., will look at these questions and other important issues regarding the Sacred Liturgy. Father Fessio, a former student of the Holy Father, has conducted The Spirit of the Litgurgy Conferences around the country. As Founder and Editor of Ignatius Press, he has published numerous books on the Sacred Liturgy, including Joseph Ratzinger's The Spirit of the Liturgy and The Feast of Faith . Father Fessio will explain what Vatican II called "the summit toward which the Church's activity is directed and the fountain from which all her power flows" (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, no. 10).

Please bring your questions on this important topic!

For a copy of the Holy Father's Motu Proprio on the Old Mass and his Letter to Bishops explaining why he issued it, please go online to www.spiritoftheliturgy.com.

Monday, Nov. 26, 7:30 pm
Trinity Grammar & Prep
2055 Redwood Rd., Napa
For information call: 707-258-9030
No Charge. Donations gratefully accepted.

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