Sacrosanctum ConciliumThis is the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy from the Second Vatican Council. This is the document that first called for there to be a revision of the Mass. Read what the Fathers at Vatican II actually said should be done, and compare it what actually happened. You'll be astonished! Of special interest are the sections stating that Latin must remain the language of the Mass, Gregorian Chant should be given pride of place and Pipe Organ music retained!
Multimedia
Reforming the Liturgical ReformCatholic Answers Live interview with Helen Hull Hitchcock, foundress of Women for Faith and Family (requires RealPlayer)
Websites
AdoremusA society lobbying for a reexamination of the reform of the liturgy since Vatican II to make it more in line with what was intended by the Council Fathers.
Archbishop Annibale BugniniCritique of the attitudes underlying the liturgical reforms of Archbishop Annibale Bugnini, a key figure in liturgical change since Vatican II.
Becoming Catholic: Making it hardby Jennifer Mehl Ferrara. "Far from drawing me into the Church, the manner in which the Mass is celebrated in most parishes constituted, in the end, the greatest stumbling block to my conversion." (from First Things, January 1999)
Cardinal Mahony's "Gather Faithfully Together"by Basil Cole. This article addresses certain problems that emerged from reading Gather Faithfully Together and with charity attempts to claryify them. (from Homiletic & Pastoral Review, August/September 1999)
Change?An examination of the problem of liturgical change in relationship to the directives of the Second Vatican Council, by John T. Zuhlsdorf
Commentary on Mass Facing the Altar (Ad Oreintem)A general commentary on what canon law says about the validity of the ad oreintem posture of the celebrant during Mass. Prepared by the St Joseph Foundation. (8 November 1999)
Facing Eastby Fr Michael R Carey OP. A short article about the meaning of facing East while praying. (from The Priest, October 1999)
Growth or Revolution?Fr. Robert Skeris discusses the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council.
How can you have a Latin Mass?(from Sacred Music, Spring 1976) - Some time ago I was at dinner in a clerical gathering after Confirmation in a parish church. About ten priests were present at table with the bishop. One pastor called down to me to inquire how well the Latin high Mass in my parish was attended. Before I could reply, a young priest sitting next to me interjected, "How can you have a Latin Mass?"
Ordinary of the MassAn editorial by Fr Robert Skeris examining the question of musical settings for the Mass and true liturgical renewal.
Ottaviani InterventionCardinals Ottaviani & Bacci. This essay was co-authored by Cardinal Ottaviani soon after Pope Paul VI announced the promulgation of the new Order of Mass. Cardinal Ottaviani was Prefect of the Congregation of the Holy Office (which was later renamed the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith). In matters of faith and morals, he was the highest authority in the Church after the Pope. His theological assessment of the new Mass cannot be dismissed lightly.
Oxford DeclarationThis declaration was published in the name of the Liturgy Forum of the Centre for Faith and Culture, consituted under the chairmanship of Msgr Peter J Elliott, a Vatican official and author of Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite.
Participation(from Sacred Music, Winter 1987) With the constitution on the liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, issued in 1965 by the Second Vatican Council, everyone became very conscious of personal participation in the sacred liturgy, particularly in the Mass. But active participation in in the liturgy was not a concept created by the Second Vatican Council.
Reappraising the Liturgical ReformA review of Anne Roche Muggeridge's The Desolate City by Msgr John F McCarthy (from Living Tradition, November 1989)
Restore the Sacredby Robert Moynihan. Many in Rome would like to see a 'reform of the reform' in the liturgy of the Latin rite of the Roman Catholic Church. Not least among them: Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. What kind of reform does he envision?
Rethinking Communion in the Handby Jude Huntz. This article challenges the arguments supporting the now-widespread practice of receiving Communion in the hand (which is permitted as the exception) instead of on the tongue (which is the rule).
Tour of the Mass of Paul VIby Paul McLachlan. This article steps through what happens at the new Mass for those who are new or not familiar with it. (This is the Mass introduced by Pope Paul VI after the Second Vatican Council to replace the traditional Mass.)
Who Says Jesus "won't mind"?by Clarence Hettinger. Liturgical disunity has a disastrous effect on the Church's doctrines and life (from Homiletic & Pastoral Review, February 1997)
Why Go to Mass?Fr. Paul LeVoir discusses the prevailing liturgical 'style' in American Catholic churches today
Liturgical Reform