You Don't Say

Can you believe that it has been 50 years since Vatican II?

Can you identify which of the following changes were not mandated by Vatican II?

Latin should be phased out and replaced with the local language.

The altar should be turned around.

The priest should face the people.

Priests’ vestments should be modernized with new designs.

Communion rails should be ripped out.

Statues and paintings of saints should be taken out and replaced with plain walls and modern sculptures.

Gregorian Chant should be replaced with modern songs and some Protestant hymns in the name of ecumenism.

Holy Communion should be given in the left hand.

Members of the parish (called “Eucharistic ministers”) should be the usual and common distributors of Holy Communion.

People should hold hands at the Our Father.

People should raise their open hands when praying.

Kneelers should be discarded and people just remain standing.

Casual dress for Mass should be encouraged.

Guitars, drums, and pianos should become the primary musical instruments.

The musicians should be applauded for their work at the end of Mass.

Actually, none of these changes were mandated in any Vatican II documents.  Surprised?

Many things have entered into the Mass that Vatican II NEVER legislated or even imagined. And likewise, many things have been removed from the Mass or have fallen by the wayside that again, Vatican II NEVER legislated or imagined.

What happened is that when the door was cracked for change .. a type of change that could be fairly characterized as tinkering around the edges .. many (progressive) people got it in their minds they could bring the wrecking ball and re-invent the Mass as though nothing had ever existed before 1965.

Ask yourself .. is the situation in my parish every Sunday what was envisioned by the Second Vatican Council?  It’s a fair question. For example .. on the most simple basic question of sacred music .. point number 116 says the following .. “116. The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as especially suited to the Roman liturgy: therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services.” Does that square with what happens in your parish each Sunday?  When is the last time you heard Gregorian Chant as a staple in your parish? Vatican II said it should have pride of place .. so what happened? And that is just ONE topic .. the question .. “what happened?” can be asked A LOT.

The Vortex with Michael Voris

www.ChurchMilitant.tv