Jumping Past The Last 40 Years Of Modernistic Liturgy

At last, the liturgical establishment is taking on its critics.

Let the debate begin
But this book is too thin to tackle the critiques of Vatican II reform, says Alcuin Reid .

The recent publication by a prominent North American academic liturgist, Fr. John Baldovin SJ, of Reforming the Liturgy: A Response to the Critics. It marks a significant stage in the recent disputes over the liturgy: for the first time the modern liturgical establishment which has been "in possession" has found it necessary to engage in dialogue with those who have advanced scholarly critiques of the reforms that followed the Council.

Baldovin's publisher and its journal, Worship, have studiously eschewed such debate. That they now find it necessary is a felicitous sign of the times. The "question of the liturgy" is on the mainstream agenda.

But Gandhi's saying is partially inadequate: Baldovin does not seek a fight.

He wishes to treat the critics with "respect" and he "would not have written this book if [he] had thought that the critics had nothing to offer".

This augurs well for serious, charitable discussion of the vital issues at stake, for the liturgy is the "source and summit" of the entire life of the Church.

However, I am not at all sure that Baldovin has provided a "response" to any or all of the scholars considered: his work is simply too thin to deal with the substantial works it surveys.....

Baldovin honestly admits that the early Church did not celebrate Mass "facing the people" as we do today, though he thinks we should. His commitment to everyday vernacular inclusive language and his opposition to the free use of the older liturgical rites are predictable, though nuanced.

He is opposed to "musical nostalgia" in the liturgy though he would allow chant "from time to time". He wants greater reverence in the reception of Holy Communion, but "without insisting that Communion be received on the tongue" or kneeling.

He is an advocate of the ordinary use of extraordinary ministers in order to respect "the integrity of a particular worshipping assembly". He is a liturgist utterly committed to the modern reforms

Link (here) to the full criticism of Fr Baldovin's book