FAQ 3 SHOULD I EVER ATTEND NEWCHURCH'S "ORDINARY" OR "EXTRAORDINARY" MESSES? TRADITIO Traditional Roman Catholic Network E-mail: traditio@traditio.com, Web: www.traditio.com Copyright 1994-2019 CSM. Reproduction prohibited without authorization. Last Updated: 11/23/19 FIVE PRACTICAL RULES FOR DEALING WITH THE NEW ORDER SECT RULE 1. TREAT THE NEW ORDER SECT, ITS SERVICES (AS WELL AS BAPTISMS, CONFESSIONS, CONFIRMATIONS, MARRIAGES, AND FUNERALS), AND ITS CLERGY AS PROTESTANTS, AND ACT TOWARD THEM AS YOU WOULD TOWARD PROTESTANT SECTS, PROTESTANT SERVICES, AND PROTESTANT MINISTERS. RULE 2. THE NOVUS ORDO SERVICE (SOMETIMES CALLED THE NEW "MASS") IS ALWAYS INVALID. This service was fabricated in 1969 by a Freemason presbyter (Hannibal Bugnini), who wrote an essentially new service based upon Protestant theology and rites. In essence, this is a Protestant service, not a Catholic and Apostolic Mass. Another rite is sometimes used, the so-called "Mass of 1962," which is already half Novus Ordo, as it is the Protestantized transitional service that led up to the invalid Novus Ordo service of 1969. This is the so-called "Latin Mass" used in the New Order sect, sometimes wrongly called the "Extraordinary Mass." It is most definitely not the Traditional Latin Mass. RULE 3. "ORDINATIONS" PERFORMED UNDER THE NOVUS ORDO ORDINAL OF 1968 ARE ALWAYS INVALID. This Ordinal was fabricated in 1968 by a Freemason presbyter (Hannibal Bugnini), who wrote a New Ordinal based upon Protestant theology. Instead of ordaining priests "to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the living and the dead," as the traditional Catholic Ordinal does (whether the ordination took place before or after the Vatican II Anti- council of 1962-1965), the New Ordinal merely "installs" presbyters (ministers) "to preside over the assembly of the people" using the invalid Novus Ordo service. In essence, these presbyters are Protestant ministers. They are not priests. RULE 4. A NOVUS ORDO PRESBYTER (MINISTER) CANNOT JUST DECIDE ONE DAY TO CELEBRATE A VALID "LATIN MASS," ANY MORE THAN A PROTESTANT MINISTER CAN DECIDE ONE DAY TO CELEBRATE A VALID "LATIN MASS." He must first abjure the Modernist heresy (defined by Pope Pius as "the synthesis of all heresies") under which he has been operating and leave the New Order sect entirely. If he now thinks that he has a true Catholic vocation, he must approach a traditional Catholic bishop for traditional training of several years and, only if he is deemed qualified, ordination. (This process parallels what a Protestant must do before being received into the Catholic Church from heresy.) Moreover, those who were ordained as priests before the Church became the New Order sect in the Vatican II period (1962-1965) can be assumed to be in the same situation. Because they have embraced the Modernist, and thus heretical, New Order sect, which is essentially Protestant, the required valid intention can be assumed to be defective in such "priests," on the basis of Pope Leo XIII's Papal Bull "Apostolicae Curae" of 1896. RULE 5. THE NEW ORDER SECT IS PROTESTANT, NOT CATHOLIC, AND TRUE CATHOLICS ARE BOUND TO STAY AWAY FROM IT ENTIRELY. The New Order sect differs in liturgy, doctrine, and morals from the Catholic and Apostolic Faith of two millennia. New Order institutions and clergy call themselves "Catholic," but that statement is false. No Catholic can have any part in religious matters with the New Order sect or its clergy, whatever they call themselves, even if they were ordained before 1968, just as one cannot have any part in religious matters with the Eastern Orthodox schismatic priests and Protestant ministers. Moreover, the experience of the last sixty years demonstrates clearly that anyone who tries to compromise in any way with the New Order sect becomes part of the Modernist heresy. WHAT DO I DO IF THERE IS NO TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS NEARBY? FIRST AND FOREMOST, THE UNAVAILABILITY OF THE TRUE MASS, THE TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS, IS NEVER A JUSTIFICATION TO ATTEND THE INVALID, PROTESTANT- MASONIC-PAGAN NOVUS ORDO SERVICE OR THE UNTRADITIONAL VATICAN II "LATIN MASSES" THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH IT. TO DO SO WOULD BE MORTALLY SINFUL ACCORDING TO THE TEACHING OF THE CHURCH. THE NOVUS ORDO SERVICE IS NO MORE A "MASS" THAN A PROTESTANT SERVICE, AFTER WHICH IT IS FABRICATED. NOR IS "REVERENCE" A CRITERION. THE METHODISTS ARE QUITE REVERENT, BUT WHAT TRUE CATHOLIC WOULD YOU GO TO THEIR SERVICE? Second, consult the current month's Official Traditional Catholic Directory for North America in the Official Traditional Catholic Directory department of the TRADITIO Network, www.traditio.com. Search there for the "recommended" Traditional Latin Masses in your area. Very often traditional Catholics are unaware that there is one in their own backyard until they consult the Directory. The Directory also distinguishes between true Traditional Latin Masses and untraditional Vatican II "Latin Masses." Third, try to worship at the true Mass, even if it is only once or twice a year. The graces you are receiving there are incalculable, augmented by your devotion in making a special effort to be present. A person can gain infinite treasures of grace at one Traditional Latin Mass than at any number of invalid Novus Ordo Messes, which offer not grace at all, but condemnation. Fourth, in the history of the Church, most Catholics never had the blessing of worshipping at a Mass every Sunday. So, if you are in a position of not having a Traditional Latin Mass at which to worship every Sunday, first of all tend to your own soul by the time-tested practices for Catholics in that situation. For further information, see ABSENT.TXT: Method of Hearing Mass Spiritually for the Absent in the TRADITIO Network's Library of Files (FAQs & Traditional Apologetics). Practice the habit of trying to elicit Perfect Contrition and of partaking in Spiritual Communion until you have the opportunity to receive the true Sacrament of Penance, even if that be a period of years. Fifth, after you have established regular traditional practices for the sake of your own soul, then try to build a traditional Catholic community slowly in your area. That may start by being two people saying the Rosary together, reading spiritual works together and discussing them, studying the Propers of the Missal, discussing articles in TRADITIO's Library of Files (FAQs and Traditional Apologetics), viewing Catholic videotapes, or any of many other spiritual practices. Sixth, once a small community has been formed, check TRADITIO's Official Traditional Catholic Directory and TRADITIO's Traditional Catholic Priests Available department for priests nearby and invite one of them to say Mass for you. Even if it is only a couple of times a year, that is two times more than you have now. IN THE END, IF YOU HAVE A MASS SITE AND A PRIEST WHO PREACHES THE TRADITIONAL ROMAN CATHOLIC FAITH TO YOU, CELEBRATES THE TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS FOR YOU, AND ADMINISTERS THE TRADITIONAL SACRAMENTS TO YOU, SUPPORT THAT SITE, HELP THE SITE, BE LOYAL TO THAT SITE, PRAY FOR THAT SITE. YOU HAVE A VERY SPECIAL GIFT FOR WHICH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF TRADITIONAL CATHOLICS AROUND THE WORLD ARE PRAYING CEASELESSLY. YOU WON'T KNOW WHAT YOU HAD UNTIL YOU LOSE IT. ========================================================================= == ADDENDUM I: REASONS SET FORTH BY 25 DIOCESAN PRIESTS OF THE DIOCESE OF CAMPOS, BRAZIL WHY, IN CONSCIENCE, CATHOLICS CANNOT ATTEND THE NOVUS ORDO SERVICE [The following statement was issued by 25 diocesan priests in Campos, Brazil, where the bishop refused to implement the Novus Ordo service. The history of this unique diocese and its bishop, Antonio de Castro Mayer, is documented in "The Mouth of the Lion" by Dr. David A. White.] We, 25 diocesan priests of the Diocese of Campos, Brazil, state the following reasons why, in conscience, we cannot attend the "New Mass" (also known as the Mass of Paul VI, the Novus Ordo, or the New Liturgy), either in the vernacular or in Latin, whether facing the people or facing the tabernacle. Thus, for the same reasons, we adhere faithfully to the Traditional Mass (also known as the Tridentine Mass -- the Mass for all time). 1. Because the New Mass is not an unequivocal profession of Catholic faith (which the Traditional Mass is); it is ambiguous and Protestant. Therefore, since we pray as we believe, it follows that we cannot pray with the New Mass in Protestant fashion and still believe as Catholics. 2. Because the changes were not just slight ones but actually "deal with a fundamental renovation ... a total change ... a new creation" (Msgr. Bugnini, coauthor of the New Mass). 3. Because the New mass leads us to think "that truths ... can be changed or ignored without infidelity to that Sacred Deposit of Doctrine with which the Catholic Faith is bound forever. 4. Because the New Mass represents "a striking departure from the Catholic theology of the Mass formulated in Session XXII of the Council of Trent," which, in fixing the "Canons [of the Mass]," provided an "insurmountable barrier to any heresy against the integrity of the Mystery."* 5. Because the difference between the two is not simply one of detail or modification of ceremony, but "all that is of perennial value finds only a minor place (in the New Mass), if it subsists at all."* 6. Because "recent reforms have amply demonstrated that fresh changes in the liturgy could lead to nothing but complete bewilderment in the faithful, who already show signs of uneasiness and lessening of faith."* 7. Because in times of confusion such as now, we are guided by the words of Our Lord: "By their fruits you shall know them." Fruits of the New Mass are 30% decrease in Sunday Mass in the U.S. (NY Times 5/24/75), 43% decrease in France (Cardinal Marty), 50% decrease in Holland (NY Times 1/5/76). 8. Because in less than seven years after the introduction of the new Mass, priests in the world decreased from 413,438 to 243,307 -- almost a 50% decrease (Holy See Statistics). 9. Because the New Mass does not manifest faith in the Real Presence of Our Lord -- the Traditional Mass manifests it unmistakably. 10. Because the New Mass confuses the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist with His Mystical Presence among us (proximating Protestant doctrine). 11. Because the New Mass blurs what ought to be a sharp difference between the hierarchic priesthood and the common priesthood of the people (as does Protestantism). 12. Because the New Mass favors the heretical theory that it is the Faith of the people and not THE WORDS OF THE PRIEST which makes Christ present in the Eucharist. 13. Because six Protestant ministers collaborated in making up the New Mass (Georges, Jasper, Shephard, Konneth, Smith and Thurian). 14. Because just as Luther did away with the Offertory -- since it very clearly expressed the sacrificial, propitiatory character of the Mass -- so also the New Mass did away with it, reducing it to a simple Preparation of the Gifts. 15. Because enough Catholic theology has been removed that Protestants can, while keeping their antipathy for the true Roman Catholic Church, use the text of the New Mass without difficulty. Protestant minister Thurian said that a fruit of the New Mass "will perhaps be that non- Catholic communities will be able to celebrate the Lord's Supper using the same prayers as the Catholic Church." 16. Because the narrative manner of the Consecration in the New Mass infers that it is only a memorial and not a true sacrifice (Protestant thesis). 17. Because by grave omissions, the New Mass leads us to believe that it is only a meal (Protestant doctrine) and not a sacrifice for the remission of sins (Catholic doctrine). 18. Because changes such as a table instead of altar, facing the people instead of the tabernacle, Communion in the hand, etc., emphasize Protestant doctrines (e.g. the Mass is only a meal, the priest is only a president of the assembly, etc.). 19. Because we are faced with a dilemma: either we become Protestantized by worshiping with the New Mass, or else we preserve our Catholic Faith by adhering faithfully to the traditional Mass of All Time. 20. Because the New Mass was made in accordance with the Protestant definition of the Mass: "The Lord's Supper or Mass is a sacred synasis or assembly of the people of God which gathers together under the presidency of the priest to celebrate the memorial of the Lord" (Par. 7 General Introduction to the [New] Roman Missal, defining the New Mass, 4/6/69). 21. Because beautiful, familiar Catholic hymns which have inspired people for centuries have been thrown out and replaced with new hymns strongly Protestant in sentiment, along with new and old Protestant Reformation hymns at that, headlining Martin Luther, which further deepens the already distinct impression that one is no longer attending a Catholic function. 22. Because the New Mass contains ambiguities subtly favoring heresy, which is more dangerous than if it were clearly heretical since a half-heresy resembles the truth! 23. Because the New Mass follows the format of Cranmer's heretical Anglican Mass, and the methods of the English heretics. 24. Because Holy Mother Church canonized numerous English martyrs who were killed because they refused to participate at a Mass such as the New Mass. 25. Because Protestants who once converted to Catholicism are scandalized to see that the New Mass is the same as the one they attended as Protestants. One of them, Julian Green, asks, "Why did we convert?" 26. Because statistics show a great decrease in conversions to Catholicism following use of the New Mass. Conversions, which were up 100,000 a year in the U.S., have decreased to less than 10,000. 27. Because the nature of the New Mass is such as to facilitate profanations of the Holy Eucharist, which occur with a frequency unheard of with the Traditional Mass. 28. Because the New Mass, despite appearances, conveys Modernism, using vague terminology in order to insinuate and advance error. 29. Because by introducing optional variations, the New Mass undermines the unity of the liturgy, with each priest liable to deviate as he fancies under the guise of creativity. Disorder inevitably results, accompanied by lack of respect and irreverence. 30. Because many good Catholic theologians, canonists, and priests do not accept the New Mass, and affirm that they are unable to celebrate it in good conscience. 31. Because the New Mass has eliminated such things as genuflections (only three remain), purifications of the priest's fingers in the chalice, preservation from all profane contact of the priest's fingers after Consecration, sacred altar stone and relics, three altar cloths (reduced to one), all of which "only serve to emphasize how outrageously faith in the dogma of the Real Presence is implicitly repudiated." 32. Because the Traditional Mass, enriched and matured by centuries of Sacred Tradition, was codified (not invented) by a pope who was a saint, Pius V, whereas the New Mass was artificially fabricated. 33. Because the abolition of the Traditional Mass recalls the prophecy of Daniel 8:12, "And he was given power against the perpetual sacrifice because of the sins of the people," and the observation of St. Alphonsus de Liguori that because the Mass is the best and most beautiful thing which exists in the Church here below, the devil has always tried by means of heretics to deprive us of it. 34. Because in places where the traditional Mass is preserved, the faith and fervor of the people are greater, whereas the opposite is true where the New Mass reigns (Report on the Mass, Diocese of Campos, ROMA, Buenos Aires # 69, 8/81). 35. Because along with the New Mass goes also a new catechism, a new morality, new prayers, new ideas, a new calendar -- in one word, a New Church, a complete revolution from the old. "The liturgical reform, ... do not be deceived, this is where the revolution begins" (Msgr. Dwyer, Archbishop of Birmingham, spokesman of the Episcopal Synod.) 36. Because the New Mass attempts to transform the Catholic Church into a new ecumenical church embracing all ideologies and all religions -- a goal long dreamt of by the enemies of the Catholic Church. 37. Because the altar and tabernacle are now separated, thus marking a division between Christ in His priest and Sacrifice on the altar, from Christ in His Real Presence in the tabernacle, "two things that of their very nature must remain together" (Pope Pius XII). 38. Because the New Mass no longer constitutes a vertical worship from man to God, but instead a horizontal worship between man and man. 39. Because the Traditional Latin Mass of Pope St. Pius V has not, nor can it ever be, legally abrogated; it therefore remains a true rite of the Catholic Church forever, by which Catholics may fulfill their Sunday obligation. 40. Because "in none of the three new Eucharistic Prayers [of the New Mass] is there any reference ... to the state of suffering of those who have died, in none the possibility of a particular Memento, thus undermining faith in the redemptive nature of the Sacrifice."* 41. Because as stated in Vatican Council I, the "Holy Spirit was not promised to the successors of Peter, that by His revelation they might make a new doctrine, but that by His assistance they might inviolably keep and faithfully expound the revelation or deposit of faith delivered through the Apostles" (D.S. 3070). 42. Because heresy, or whatever clearly favors heresy, cannot be matter for obedience. Obedience is at the service of Faith and not Faith at the service of obedience! In this foregoing case then, "one must obey God before men" (Acts of the Apostles 5:29). 43. Because the New Mass, with its ambiguity and permissiveness, exposes us to the wrath of God by facilitating the risk of invalid consecrations: "Will priests of the near future who have not received the traditional formation and who rely on the Novus Ordo Missae with the intention of 'doing what the Church does,' consecrate validly? One may be allowed to doubt it!"* 44. Because the intrinsic beauty of the Traditional Mass attracts souls by itself; whereas the New Mass, lacking any attractiveness of its own, has to invent novelties and entertainments in order to appeal to the people. 45. Because the New mass embodies numerous errors condemned by Pope St. Pius V at the Council of Trent (Mass totally in vernacular, words of Consecration spoken aloud, etc.). (See Condemnation of Jansenist Synod of Pistoia, and errors condemned by Pope Pius XII, e.g., altar in the form of table. See Mediator Dei. [The condemned Council of Pistoia demanded a "simplified" Mass said entirely out loud in the vernacular, condemned by Pope Pius VI as "rash, offensive to pious ears, insulting to the Church, favorable to the charges of heretics against it [the traditional Latin Mass]" (Pius VI, Auctorem Fidei (1794), in Henricus Denziger, Enchridion Symbolorum (1955), sec. 1533).] 46. Because the New Mass, in removing the salutations and final blessing when the priest celebrates alone, shows a denial of, and disbelief in the dogma of the Communion of Saints. 47. Because the New Mass, although appearing to conform to the dispositions of Vatican Council II, in reality opposes its instructions, since the Council itself declared its desire to conserve and promote the Traditional Rite. 48. Because Pope St. Pius V granted a perpetual indult, valid "in perpetuity, to celebrate the Traditional Mass freely, licitly, without scruple of conscience, punishment, sentence or censure" (Papal Bull "Quo Primum"). 49. Because Pope Paul VI, when promulgating the New Mass, himself declared: "The rite by itself is NOT a dogmatic definition" (11/19/69). 50. Because Pope Paul VI, when asked by Cardinal Heenan of England if he was abrogating or prohibiting the Tridentine Mass, answered: "It is not our intention to prohibit absolutely the Tridentine Mass." 51. Because "in the Libera Nos of the New Mass, the Blessed Virgin, the Apostles and all the Saints are no longer mentioned; her and their intercession thus no longer asked, even in time of peril."* 52. Because in none of the three new Eucharistic Prayers (of the New Mass) is there any reference to the state of suffering of those who have died, in none the possibility of a particular Memento, thus undermining faith in the redemptive nature of the Sacrifice."* 53. Because we recognize the Holy Father's supreme authority in his universal government of Holy Mother Church, but we know that even this authority cannot impose upon us a practice which is so CLEARLY against the Faith: a Mass that is equivocal and favoring heresy and therefore disagreeable to God. 54. Because, as stated in Vatican Council I, the "Holy Spirit was not promised to the successors of Peter, that by His revelation they might make new doctrine, but that by His assistance they might inviolably keep and faithfully expound the revelation or deposit of Faith delivered through the Apostles" (Denziger #3070). * Letter of the Cardinals Alfredo Cardinal Ottaviani and Antonio Cardinal Bacci to His Holiness Pope Paul VI, September 25, 1969: Short Critical Study of the New Order of Mass by a Group of Roman Theologians, June 5, 1969. ===================================================================== ADDENDUM II ARTICLES OF THE WESTERN RISING OF 1549 ARTICLES OF US THE COMMONERS OF DEVONSHIRE AND CORNWALL IN DIVERS CAMPS BY EAST AND WEST OF EXETER [On Pentecost Sunday, by law, the Traditional Latin Mass was abolished in England. It was the last in a series of anti-Catholic actions of the government, with almost no opposition from the bishops. From that date a New Order of Service was to be used, designed to please Protestants and to make those who attended it week after week become gradually Protestants themselves. For nearly all of England this was most unwelcome. For the faithful in Cornwall and Devon it was totally unacceptable. They took up arms. The year was 1549, two years after King Henry VIII had died.] 1. We will have the General Council and Holy Decrees of our forefathers observed, kept, and performed, and whosoever will gainsay them, we hold them as heretics. 2. (Restoration of Statute of Six Articles of Henry VIII against heresy.) 3. We will have the Mass in Latin as was before, and celebrated by the Priest without man or woman communicating with him. 4. We will have the Sacrament hang over the High Altar and there be worshipped as it was wont to be, and they, which will not thereto consent, we will have them die like heretics against the Holy Catholic Faith. 5. We will have the Sacrament of the Altar, but only at Easter delivered to the lay people and then only in one kind. 6. We will that our Curates shall minister the Sacrament of Baptism at all times as well in the week day as on the Holy Day. 7. We will have only bread and Holy Water made every Sunday, Palms and Ashes at times accustomed. Images to be set up in every church, and all other ancient ceremonies. 8. We will not receive the New Service because it is but like a Christmas game, but we will have our old service of Matins, Mass, Evensong [Vespers], and Procession in Latin as it was before. And so we the Cornish men (whereof certain of us understand no English) utterly refuse this new English. 9. We will have every preacher in his sermon and every Priest at at his Mass, pray especially by name for the Souls in purgatory as our forefathers did. 10. (Calling in of the English translation of the Scriptures, i.e., unauthorized translations.) 11. (Demanding the release of Dr. Moreman and Dr. Crispin, two Canons of Exeter, who were imprisoned in the Tower.) 12. (Demanding the recall of Cardinal Pole and his promotion to be of the King's Council.) 13. (Demanding the restriction of the number of servants a man might have.) 14. (Restoration of half the abbey and chantry lands and endowments, and foundation of two abbeys in every county.) 15. For the particular griefs of our Country, we will have them so ordered as Humphrey Arundell and Henry Bray, the King's Mayor of Bodmin, shall inform the King's Majesty, if they may have safe conduct under the King's Great Seal to pass and repass with a Herald of Arms. By us: Humphrey Arundel, John Berry, Thomas Underhill, John Sloeman, William Segar, Chief Captains; John Thompson, Priest; Henry Bray, Mayor of Bodwin; Henry Lee, Mayor of Torrington; Roger Barret, Priest; the Four Governors of the Camps.