Dear Lawrence:

The Mass Liturgy was reformed because it needed to be reformed. For example, there were sections in the old Mass that were unnecessarily repetitious. Another example, is the the people should be more involved than the old Mass allowed.

The more ancient and more traditional rubrics of the Mass included greater participation of the peopleand not having the acolytes recite all the parts for the people.

In addition there were MANY abuses of the Old Mass such as people praying the rosary during the Mass presumably because they had nothing else to do, I guess. Priests often abused the liturgy in the old days.

The revision of the Mass included some MORE ANCIENT and MORE TRADITIONAL prayers than the Tirdentine Mass had.

The revision of the Mass had been planned for many years before Vatican II, at least a 100 years or more there were discussions of revisions.

There is plenty more but I am weary of having to repeat all this in ad nauseum. Vatican II is a done deal, so get use to it.

Bottomline, the Holy Spirit through the Magisterium inspired a revision. We are to accept it.

I am equally tired of this old straw man about the Protestant Council or the Protestant Mass. This is garbage and stupid.

The Vatican II council and its decisions, and the reforms it made, were decided by the Bishops of the Catholic Church who were present. Protestants did not make any decisions.

There were Protestant observers, as there were Orthodox observers, and Anglican observers, and secular observers. Observers DO NOT LEGISLATE.

By the way, the Pope invited Protestant observers to the Council of Trent. Does that make the Council of Trent suspect, too?

I do not have the Missal from 1969, so I cannot check to see if you are quoting it accurately. But I can say that no dogmas or doctrines were changed in Vatican II. That is nonsense.

Vatican II is a holy council instituted by the Magisterium under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It is binding on all Catholics.

Any Catholic who disparages Vatican II, disparages the Holy Spirit since Vatican II is a work of the Holy Spirit. I think the Bible had something to say about people who did that!

Such people need to mortify their pride and arrogance and grow up. Such obsessive and obstinate attitude is that of a 13 year old. A trip to a psychiatrist might do some good too -- especially for the truly off-the-wall sede vacantist (which the SSPX is not and most "Traditionalist" are not, but those who are, need help).

The true "traditionalists" are those who respect the Tradition of the Church, which is whatever the Church says it is. Vatican II is part of the Tradition of the Church. Thus, a true Traditionalists would embrace Vatican II.

One last thing, the abuses we see today are not a result of Vatican II, they are a result of ABUSES of Vatican II teachings.

Anyway, on the issue of the status of SSPX, the efficacy of Vatican II, the evaluation of the Tridentine Mass and permission to celebrate it, the revision of the Mass, the promulgation of the Roman Missal, all come under the heading of: the Church has spoken, the debate is ended. (St. Augustine)

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary