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Why the Liturgy?
"The word 'liturgy' originally meant a 'public work' or a 'service in the name of or on behalf of the people'. In Christian tradition it means the participation of the People of God in 'the work of God'. Through the liturgy Christ, our Redeemer and High Priest, continues the work of our redemption in, with, and through His Church" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1609)
The Liturgy is the public worship rendered by the Mystical Body of Christ in the entirety of its Head (Christ Himself) and members. The earthly liturgy, because it is also meant for the santification of man, is sacramental. The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ Himself and entrusted to the Church, by which a created share in the Divine Life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament.
Chief among the sacraments is the Holy Eucharist. In the Mass, the sacrifice of our Redemption is represented in an unbloody manner, and in the Eucharist Christ, the Author of grace, is really and substantially present.
In addition to the sacraments insituted by Christ, the liturgy includes the Church's ceaseless Sacrifice of Praise offered in the Divine Office, and all the blessings, prayers and sacramentals instituted by the Church herself.
The Liturgy on earth participates in and looks forward to the heavenly liturgy, which is a hymn of pure praise to the Holy Trinity, celebrated beyond the veil of signs.
For a Catholic, orthodoxy (right belief) and orthopraxis (right morals) are necessary, but not enough: in Christ's dispensation, our response in faith to the life of grace received at baptism, can only be adequately lived in union with the Pashcal Mystery celebrated in the liturgy. Indeed, we cannot please God without His grace, the principal source of which is the liturgy.
Why then the liturgy? Because the Christian life and the liturgical life are inseparable.
What is the classical latin liturgy?
There is a diversity of liturgical traditions in the Church. The classical Latin liturgy is the historical liturgical patrimony of the western Church. This consists principally in the Roman Rite, but also other Rites of particular dioceses and religious orders in the Latin tradition. This liturgy is sometimes called the 'Tridentine' Rite, after the Council of Trent in the sixteenth century. This title is misleading, because the Council of Trent did not invent the liturgy, which was even then already ancient.
Hasn't the classical latin liturgy been replaced, or even banned?
No. The Second Vatican Council declared, in relation to all liturgical rites approved at the time, that the Church "wishes to preserve them in the future and foster them in every way." (Sacrosanctum Concilium, #4) A new Roman Rite was promulgated after the Council, which is now in general use, but the classical Latin liturgy remains also in use, and fully approved by the Supreme Pontiff.
But why bother with the old liturgy?
"The mystery of Christ is so unfathomably rich that it cannot be exhausted by its expression in any single liturgical tradition." (CCC, #1201) As we become more aware of the importance of conservation generally, Catholics are appreciating anew the need to maintain or recover contact with their own heritage of worship. The classical Latin liturgy is a powerful aid in sustaining and fostering Catholic belief and practice in a contemporary culture that is often indifferent and even hostile.
Because this liturgy was forged in the crucible of sanctity over centuries - beginning with the Romanmartyrs and continuing through the age of Faith - it possesses a great power to attract souls, and even to re-evangelise a world that has forgotten God. Indeed, "the liturgy itself generates cultures and shapes them." (CCC, #1207)
Where can I experience this liturgy?
There are many Catholic communities throughout the world, which worship in the classical Latin liturgical tradition. Here in Melbourne, a chaplaincy in the classical Roman Rite has been granted to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, a community of secular priests approved by Pope John Paul II in 1988. The Fraternity aims to found centres of liturgical excellence, and to provide full pastoral care to those seeking it, within its charism of fidelity to the classical latin liturgy. This pastoral care includes adult education, youth formation, and children's catechesis.
The Fraternity assumed its chaplaincy on 1st March 2000 at the invitation of Archbishop (now Cardinal) George Pell, and continues its mission under His Grace, Archbishop Denis Hart.
For more information, please either call us, email us, or come to one of our Masses.
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