By Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan

The Future

We saw last week, in the small chapel called the “Maria Bambina,” a new kind of Mass. It is the shape of the Mass to come. In title if not in details, it reminded several Americans present of the publication, at least 25 years ago, of Father Gerald Ellard’s prophetic book called “The Mass of the Future.”

That the Council Fathers of 1962-65 have approved with Pope Paul VI, such a revision is hard to believe in the light of the long centuries of “no change.” Yet here, not more than 700 yards from St. Peter’s, this new Mass was offered by Father Annivale Bugnini at a pure white marble free-standing altar attended by about 40 cardinals and bishops, 25 periti, a seminary choir and a “congregation” of Roman sisters.

Cardinals Lercaro, Bea, Conway, Confalnieri, Rugumbwa, Ritter and Giuppe -- all members of the Consilium entrusted with the revision -- watched intently. So did all kinds of bishops -- administrators like Martin of Canada, and Dwyer of England; “theological” bishops like Jenny of France, and Young of Australia; missionary bishops like Hurley of South Africa and Naga of Japan; pastoral men like Rau of Argentine; bishops from Communist lands like Spulbeck of East German, Jop of Poland and Pilcher of Yugoslavia.

Among the periti were world known scholars: Fathers Frederick McManus and Godfrey Dieckmann of the U.S., Jungman,Wagner, Fischer, Gy, Martimort, and Bonet.

The attention was prayerful as the group answered the responses and sang the anthems in Italian. But it was also an intellectual attention because we had spent days of study on the material, and at least eight hours of discussion. We knew that a period of comment and criticism would immediately follow. The following two mornings were also to be devoted to discussion.

The whole matter, at this point, is definitely sub secreto (under the seal of secrecy). But it is expected that if the general outlines are approved by the Consilium, a six-month period of experimentation will follow during which the faithful in selected places will become active participants in the testing.

This historic project is not the idea of “a bunch of liturgists.” The Consilium is not a club for far-out “litniks.” Selected by Pope Paul VI for a task that is regarded as the first step in the conciliar reform, these men meet here from all over the world with judgement that comes from wisdom and experience. They are simply carrying out what is now the universal law of the Church: “Both texts and rites should be drawn up so that they express more clearly the holy things which they signify.” (Const. #34).

And regarding the Mass itself, the Church is even more urgent: “The rites are to be simplified, due care being taken to preserve their substance; elements which with the passage of time came to be duplicated, or were added with but little advantage, are now to be discarded; other elements which have suffered injury through accidents of history are now to be restored to the vigor which they had in the days of the Holy Fathers.” (Const. #50).

As we left the chapel last week for our critique, one bishop expressed a point that was quite assuring and right for our people. Impressed (as we all were) by the clean lines of the new rite, in keeping with the directives just cited, he said: “Much has been achieved. The rite breathes a new Spirit, but it in no way breaks with the past.”

This essential Liturgy, Pope Paul once said, was like a tree - it must grow organically. The Constitution made this certain in a memorable passage: “No innovations unless the good of the Church genuinely and certainly requires them; and care must be taken that any new forms should in some way grow organically from forms already existing.” (Const. # 23).

Radicalists will groan at the Latin Canon, the gradual revisions, the retention of the old familiar outlines. Resistors will join in a dubious counterpoint as they moan about the loss of this prayer or stance or genuflection, and the good old days. But while the Church speaks gently but firmly to both, it is the great body of God’s people upon whom she depends to take their rightful part. She wants “all the faithful to be led to that full, conscious and active participation in the liturgy.” To move toward that goal, she boldly and confidently states that “some elements subject to change ...not only may but ought to be changed with the passage of time.”

Four years, two popes, four conciliar sessions make up a long time. It is getting late. The early disturbances and protests are heard less and less, but the work ahead is enormous. The priests need the leadership of their bishops, the laity need instruction, example and help from their priest.

Liturgy is the summit and fount of Christian life, the exercise of the priestly office of Jesus Christ, a sacred action surpassing all others.

What happened last week in the little chapel of the “Maria Bambina” will be happening in the not too distant future in Atlanta, Athens and Rome, in LaGrange and Milledgeville, in Lookout Mountain and Barnesville. The renewal of the liturgy is the most dynamic factor in the Church today. Those who ignore it, or overreach it, or fail to live it or resist it, or continue to yearn for the old days do so at their own cost. The Church moves - and the Holy Spirit, not the status quo, is the guarantor of our salvation.