Liturgical Commentaries

One of the great challenges facing a proper liturgical reform today I submit has very little to do with the rubrics.  Important as they are, the primary problem is a lack of understanding of the parts of the Mass and how they interact.

This can especially be problematic for traditionalists.  They started attending the extraordinary form for its beauty and stability (as opposed to rampant liturgical abuses elsewhere) but there is far more to the Mass than mere externals.  As Cardinal Ottaviani rightly noted during his famed Intervention:

For the desire of the people was expressed, if at all, when - thanks to Pius X - they began to discover the true and everlasting treasures of the liturgy. The people never on any account asked for the liturgy to be changed, or mutilated so as to understand it better. They asked for a better understanding of the changeless liturgy, and one which they would never have wanted changed.


The Roman Missal of St. Pius V was religiously venerated and most dear to Catholics, both priests and laity. One fails to see how its use, together with suitable catechesis, could have hindered a fuller participation in, and great knowledge of the Sacred Liturgy, nor why, when its many outstanding virtues are recognised, this should not have been considered worthy to continue to foster the liturgical piety of Christians.

One of the great ways of understanding in a deeper fashion the Sacred liturgy is by looking through those prayers which change every week, known as the propers.  While eventually I may cover the Ordinary Form, I would like to cover the Extraordinary form primarily.  In this day where the Pope has spoken of the richness of the Extraordinary Form (sometimes called "Tridentine" or "Traditional Latin Mass") and how he hopes it will enrich the liturgical life of all Catholics, it seems fitting.

Included on this page will be the commentaries for every Sunday throughout the liturgical year, and as many of the "Major" (or in the old calendar, "first" and "second" class feasts) that I am able to attend.

Trinity Sunday

Corpus Christi (Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Our Lord)

Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Third Sunday After Pentecost
 
Fourth Sunday After Pentecost
 
The Nativity of St. John the Baptist
 
Fifth Sunday After Pentecost
 
Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul
 
Feast of the Most Precious Blood
 
Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
 
Sixth Sunday After Pentecost
 
Seventh Sunday After Pentecost
 
 Eighth Sunday After Pentecost

Ninth Sunday After Pentecost

On the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary