NLM and the Reform of the Reform

The Roman blog New Liturgical Movement is a frequently if not daily read for some of us non-Romans/protestants who point our liturgical eyes across the Tiber. Long militating for recognition of the splendors of the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) and the reform of the reforms of Vatican II, some readers have wondered what its role is now that the Benedict the 16th’s motu proprio has clarified the Roman position on the TLM, a clarification that enables its wider and broader use. Would the site focus exclusively on the TLM and leave the Novus Ordo (the V II version) to hang? The authors have been engaging in public discussion about this and one of today’s posts hits it on the head: to be of continuing use to the church is to refuse the inclination to head into a TLM echo chamber; the reform of the reform should move hand in hand with the restoration of the TLM.

I’m happy they’ve made this statement because it means the site and its resources will continue to be of use to us non-Roman readers. We’re never going to do a TLM; ain’t gonna happen. However, we too could stand to experience, learn, and thoughtfully and theologically reflect on the riches of a TLM done properly and how its qualities of prayerfulness and Godwardness can further our corporate and private worship of God.

2 thoughts on “NLM and the Reform of the Reform

  1. lutherpunk

    I was glad to see the statement today. I had quit frequenting the blog as much since MP came out, simply by virtue of the fact that the blog seemed to become something of an clearing house for all things MP.

    Hopefully they can resharpen focus.

  2. The young fogey

    Very sensible of them and you make a good point too. As I like to say IT’S NOT ABOUT LATIN but as long as the 1962 services have to remain in it most Roman Catholics won’t give them a chance. So for the forseeable future ‘R2’ has a place. Share the wealth of the restoration with more of the faithful including interacting with liturgical Protestants.

    (Sidebar, also related to your post on the New Emergence: ISTM the new Episcopal middle of the road, younger people, are both credally orthodox and liturgically more conservative – far more in common with me than boomers, though ++Cantuar is sound on the creeds, mustn’t generalise, or Spong. Very like the liberal/conservative generational divide in the Roman Church. Not exactly of course. The Controversial Issues™ in the Episcopal row are as much communion-breakers as the classic issues separating Protestants from Catholics, just a few more on top of the pile. But at least we can acknowledge each other as Christians and learn a thing or two from each other. And even, sometimes, pray from the same office. If we’re still talking to each other as indeed we are in this medium, and praying, all’s not lost, non?)

    And to be fair if one does to the Novus Ordo what Prayer Book Catholics did adding traditional ceremonial (like, yes, the Anglican Missal) and, important, junks ICEL and actually translates the thing it’s actually not that bad. The congregation reciting the Introit at daily Low Mass, turning the Kyrie into a real litany… not bad things. I don’t break but can bend. Actually as I wrote elsewhere recently the lowest and broadest I’ll go is old Prayer Book but with Catholic doctrine. The religion I started with. Not that I’d go back to it but don’t mind if (rhetorical) you do.

    As you know the Roman Rite historically has had many variations (‘uses’): local missals and breviaries. Why not again? It’s authentically traditional.

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