Davies on 1962, 1965 and 1969 Missals

Latin Mass magazine recently announced an initiative whereby it will be creating an online archive of every back issue of its journal on a new and expanded website. In the meantime, however, I have received permission from the journal to reproduce online from Latin Mass (Spring 2001), 4-13, the following article by Michael Davies, "The Missal of 1962 -- a Rock of Stability," on my blog, Scripture and Catholic Tradition (April 20, 2007).

The lengthy and detailed article is worth reading (or re-reading) in its entirety. It contains details not found this easily elsewhere about the transitional post-Vatican II 1965 Missal. Among other things, Davies says this:

"The one prefect of a Roman congregation who has faced up to the reality of the liturgical debacle is Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith."

Here are some other excerpts:

"The very idea of composing a new order of Mass was and is totally alien to the whole Catholic ethos, both in the East and in the West. The Catholic tradition has been to hold fast to what has been handed down and to look upon any novelty with the utmost suspicion." (p. 6) * * * * * * *"Likewise, the 1965 Missal was intended to condition the faithful into accepting without protest the radically reformed Missal of 1969." (p. 8) * * * * * * *"It would not be an exaggeration to describe [the Tridentine] Missal as the most sublime product of Western civilization, more perfect in its balance, rich in its imagery, inspiring, consoling, and instructive than even the most beautiful cathedral in Europe." (p. 9)* * * * * * *"It will be noted that any priest requesting a celebret can be granted one without the agreement of his bishop. It is necessary only to inform the diocesan bishop that it has been done." (p. 12)