In a previous blog post, I described how the Novus Ordo (new mass, ordinary mass) whichever one prefers to call it, is full of various Traditional abuses towards the Holy Roman Catholic Church. I find it odd, how many Roman Catholics can sit through such a service knowing that it breaks the Tradition of the Church. And half of what it means to be Catholic means being “traditional”. However, if one has no other option than to attend an ordinary mass to meet either Sunday obligations or Holy Days of Obligations, bear through the madness of Paul VI and receive Christ in the Eucharist and draw closer to him and the true Church. Even Pope Benedict XVI, then Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, wrote in “Spirit of the Liturgy” that the new mass is banal, yet all Sacraments celebrated under the new missal are still valid. The issue is not with the Priest and his ability to confect the Sacraments of Christ (the only holy catholic and apostolic church) but it has to do with how they are celebrated. It is more than an issue of preference but the true issue is the preservation of our 2000 year old Tradition. I also find it odd, that this drastic change has only occurred in the Roman Rite, and not in any Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church. Do no misunderstand me, by no means am I saying that the Extraordinary Form of the Mass (Traditional Latin Mass) should be the “true Mass” or the only Mass of the Church. That would be complete madness-although SPPX wouldn’t mind-simply because there are various Eastern Rite Catholics. The Divine Liturgy for example is not part of the Roman Rite, yet it still remains true to the Tradition of the Holy Catholic Church. I am afraid, the Novus Ordo does not in many respects. Be that as it may.
The Confiteor is probably one of my most favorite part of the Mass. It invokes the intercessions of the Saints and the Blessed Virgin, it is heartfelt, and in the Traditional Latin Mass it is said on ones knees facing the Tabernacle where Christ is truly present. In the Novus Ordo, it is mere dialogue between Priest and Congregation completely disregarding the Tabernacle of Our Blessed Lord and is done standing up. Also in the Traditional Latin Mass, the congregation strike their breasts three times showing true contrition for our sins, in the new missal this is omitted (of course).
Confiteor is a penitential prayer where we acknowledge our sinfulness and seek God’s mercy and forgiveness. Confiteors have been part of Christianity from the beginning. St. Augustine notes that it was traditionally recited while striking the breast as a sign of humility, such as is the custom we have today of doing so during Mass when it is recited. The prayer below is the traditional form of the prayer. It was partially composed in the 8th century and then added to the Mass in the 11th century. The Confiteor in use in the Missal of Paul VI is a shortened version of this one.
I CONFESS to almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the saints that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore, I beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, to pray for me to the Lord our God. Amen.
Of course in the Mass it is said in Latin:
CONFITEOR Deo omnipotenti, beatae Mariae semper Virgini, beato Michaeli Archangelo, beato Ioanni Baptistae, sanctis Apostolis Petro et Paulo, et omnibus Sanctis, quia peccavi nimis cogitatione, verbo et opere: mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Ideo precor beatam Mariam semper Virginem, beatum Michaelem Archangelum, beatum Ioannem Baptistam, sanctos Apostolos Petrum et Paulum, et omnes Sanctos, orare pro me ad Dominum Deum nostrum. Amen.
Now just for fun I will post the Confiteor of the New Missal of Paul VI and compare it to that of the Lutheran “I confess” of their “Divine Service”:
Divine Service:
Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of your Holy Name. Amen
Enjoy the following Confiteor’s celebrated in the Solemn Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church. Celebrated at the Church of the Holy Innocents in NYC:
