Shame on me, I didn't know what SSPX was. I'd started seeing a bunch of fuss about something called SSPX, so I did a little digging. I recognize what I'm about to say will rankle some readers. I'll preface by saying, I only know what I've been able to learn in a couple of days. I'm not a Church historian, scholar, or official. I'm just a guy.
SSPX stands for the Society of Saint Pius X. I did know of a group of Catholics who want a return to the Latin Mass. But I guess there's more to it than this. I am not going to dissect it or debate it; this is just my reaction to what I've learned. In addition to a return to the Latin Mass, this group rejects other aspects of Vatican II, especially the Council's efforts at ecumenism. I've given each some thought, and here goes. Sorry if you don't agree. Lucky for you, I'm not in any position of authority.
First, the Latin Mass. When I was a kid in the '60s, I was an altar boy. I was in the first class of altar boys at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic School on Staten Island to learn the Mass in English. As a matter of fact, I think I remember that the class that preceded mine didn't have altar boys, and the one before them learned the Latin Mass. My earliest memory of the Latin Mass was the priest, back to us and in apparent isolation, and women praying the Rosary while the Mass was celebrated.
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| The priest in the Latin Mass faced the altar, back to the people. I remember women praying the Rosary. Why not, they couldn't hear, nor understand? |
My class learned in English. I still remember with pride that after a while, I knew all the words to one of the commonly used Eucharistic Prayers of that time. Assisting priests week in, week out, I heard them over and over. More importantly, even as a kid: I understood. I get so much from the Mass today; week after week my soul and spirituality overflow at Mass. Because I understand. Why take that away from me?
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| In the modern Mass, the priest faces us in the pews, and speaks a language we understand. |
An interesting note, something that strikes me: Jesus didn't speak Latin! And it was a Pope, Pope Damasus I, who changed the Mass from Greek to Latin around 380 A.D., so that Christians in Rome could understand it! That's exactly the same reason Vatican II went to the use of the native tongue. I am deeply in love with the Mass. I do not support taking it back to Latin. Sorry. Why not Greek, which preceded Latin? Or Aramaic, the language Jesus actually spoke!
I do not object to the Latin Mass. In fact, if there was offered a Latin Mass in Catholic Churches, I'd be inclined to attend one occasionally. Comprendisne?
The second issue, one I wasn't aware of at all, is a rejection of Vatican II's move toward ecumenism. Apparently, the SSPX movement wants the Church to draw a hard line in the sand: The Catholic Church is the ONLY way to Heaven. Period. I do believe our Church is the one Jesus commissioned. I do believe he gave the keys to Peter. I do think the various schisms, with the Orthodox and with Protestants, have been unfortunate. I would like to see them reconciled. I do NOT think an "our way or the highway" stance on salvation benefits the Church of Jesus. Sorry, I just don't.
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| I love my Catechism. |
Lastly, I want to mention the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the most recent and official one. It is an outcome of Vatican II. It is beautiful. I love it. It expresses our faith beautifully and, for me, meaningfully. I can't believe this is what they're rejecting.
I won't surrender the Mass in English if I can help it.
I won't tell my Protestant friends they're not going to Heaven. So many are better Christians than many of us are.
I love my (Vatican II) Catechism. I will NOT give it up.
Maybe you think I'm fully corrupted for these opinions. I guess we can talk it over on the other side.
I'll finish with this:
One in Christ
11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called the uncircumcision by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; 18 for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
May God bless us all. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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