Michael Fiedrowicz - The Traditional Mass: History, Form, and Theology of the Classical Roman Rite

Praise for The Traditional Mass

Motivated by profound respect for and love of the usus antiquior of the Roman rite, and drawing on an impressive range of valuable sources, Michael Fiedrowiczs appreciation of the history, form, and theology of the older form of the Mass as it has developed in tradition underlines the value of its more widespread celebration in our day. Readers will find here much with which to grow in their appreciation of Pope Benedict XVIs insistence that, in respect of the older liturgy: What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too, and it cannot be all of a sudden entirely forbidden or even considered harmful. It behooves all of us to preserve the riches which have developed in the Churchs faith and prayer, and to give them their proper place (July 7, 2007). The publication of this English translation, which deserves careful study, marks another important step towards achieving that goal.

DOM ALCUIN REID , Founding Prior, Monastre Saint-Benot

This historically rigorous and theologically informed book is indispensable for anyone who cares about Pope Benedict XVIs liturgical vision. I am delighted that this outstanding introduction to the traditional form of the Roman Mass is now available to Anglophone readers.

FR. UWE MICHAEL LANG , Cong. Orat., St. Marys University

Michael Fiedrowicz here accomplishes something well-nigh miraculous: a comprehensive introduction to the elaborate history, complex structure, and sublime theology of the traditional Latin Masssupported by abundant scholarshipall within the scope of a single highly readable volume. His treatment of organic development, Latin, Gregorian chant, the orations, the Offertory, the Roman Canon, eastward orientation, and the benefits of fixed ritual are among the best I have ever seen. His respectful but incisive critique of defects in last centurys liturgical reform runs like a countermelody against the principal theme. Quite simply, this is the best one-volume work on the classical Roman Mass published since the Second Vatican Council.

PETER A. KWASNIEWSKI , author of Noble Beauty, Transcendent Holiness

This multifaceted and comprehensive study of the traditional Roman rite of the Mass is meticulously footnoted and features an extensive, up-to-date bibliography. Each of its three major parts could stand on its own, which makes it all the more valuable as a reference work. I am pleased that Angelico Press has made available in English translation Prof. Fiedrowiczs substantive achievementthe fruit of careful research, orthodox faith, and reverence for the riches handed on in tradition.

FR. THOMAS KOCIK , Society for Catholic Liturgy, contributor to the New Liturgical Movement

The Roman Church has been rendered a great service with the publication of Prof. Michael Fiedrowiczs The Traditional Mass. This monumental and much needed work presents the history, form, and theology of the Roman Mass in a manner both comprehensive and yet succinct enough to be accessible to every Catholic, scholar or neophyte! Whereas previous tomes on the Roman Liturgy have often been too technical to appeal to the average Catholic, Fiedrowiczs stylesimple, informative, yet profoundgrips and guides the reader from the outset. A further advantage of his work is that, in contrast to the traditional Roman Mass, he educates the reader about the liturgical issues of the Novus Ordo Missae, masterfully integrating these significant lessons in a subtle, unpolemical fashion. I heartily recommend this masterpiece to all Catholics who desire to better understand and appreciate the traditional Roman Mass, and thereby increase their devotion to this venerable rite of the Holy Sacrifice.

LOUIS J. TOFARI , Romanitas Press

The Traditional Mass

Originally published in German as
Die berlieferte Messe Geschichte, Gestalt und

Theologie des klassischen rmischen Ritus

Copyright by Carthusianus Verlag, Fohren-Linden,
Germany 2011/2019 (5th enhanced edition)

Copyright Angelico Press 2020

All rights reserved:
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted,
in any form or by any means, without permission

For information, address:
Angelico Press, Ltd.

169 Monitor St.
Brooklyn, NY 11222

www.angelicopress.com

pb 978-1-62138-523-3

cloth 978-1-62138-524-0

ebook 978-1-62138-525-9

Book and cover design
by Michael Schrauzer

It is a fact without doubt that the Roman Missal represents in its entirety the loftiest and most important work in ecclesiastical literature, being that which shows forth with the greatest fidelity the life-history of the Church, that sacred poem in the making of which ha posto mano e cielo e terra.

I. Schuster, The Sacramentary (Liber Sacramentorum). Historical and Liturgical Notes on the Roman Missal, trans. by A. Levelis-Marke (London: Burns & Oates, 1924), vol. I, part 1, v. Quotation: Dante, Paradiso xxv, 2 (heaven and earth have set their hand [trans. Longfellow]).

With the Apostolic Letter Summorum Pontificum of July 7, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI made the richness of the traditional Mass newly accessible to the entire Church. It states: The Roman Missal promulgated by St Pius V and reissued by Bl. John XXIII...must be given due honor for its venerable and ancient usage (ob venerabilem et antiquum eius usumdebito gaudeat honore).

In view of the continually growing interest in the traditional form of the Roman rite of Mass, an introduction to its history, form, and theology is more than ever desirable, particularly given the ever increasing open-mindedness toward the inherited liturgy in the younger generation of priests, seminarians, and laity, who to date have been introduced only to the modernized form. In contrast to conventional explanations of the Mass, which explicate the steps in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, the present work will treat many further aspects requisite for a deeper understanding of the traditional rite: the historical development of the Ordinary of the Mass, the liturgical year, sacred language, orientation of celebration, rituality, and sacrality, as well as theological principles (e.g., prayers, readings, Offertory, and Canon; lex orandi, lex credendi). Footnotes quote extensively from worthwhile authors and works that go beyond the scope of this book; such materials have been rare or difficult to access until recently.

The following portrayal of the traditional Roman Mass is bound to the basic hermeneutical principles of St Augustine. According to him, one must not look to discover their [i.e., the Scriptures] meaning from those who, for whatever compelling reason, have declared bitter war on their authors and publishers. The bishop of Hippo demanded instead a hermeneutic of agreement: an adequate understanding of a challenging work requires fundamental readiness to study the subject with love. This principle applies equally to Holy Scripture and to the traditional liturgy of the Church.

Since Pope Benedict XVI intended with his Apostolic Letter Summorum Pontificum to [offer] to all the faithful the Roman liturgy...as a precious treasure to be preserved, the following presentation wishes to contribute to this goal by revealing the preciousness and beauty of the traditional liturgy of the Church, so as to bring about a new appreciation and the appropriate honor.