tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8697143.post-29460668601751194842007-10-06T12:41:00.000-04:002007-10-06T12:41:00.000-04:00Scott,<BR/><BR/>I read the letter from Fr. Feehily and am not sure if he is really speaking out against the Motu Proprio or just concerned that the invitation to attend, and then the attendance of some, will or will not cause confusion. I do not know Fr. Feehily personally, but it sounds in his letter like he is truly concerned for the people of God and sees the current Novus Ordo in English as a more appropriate form of worship - especially when he quoted the Vatican II documents, "Pastors of souls realize that, when the liturgy is celebrated, something more is required than the mere observation of the laws governing valid and licit celebration; it is their duty also to ensure that the faithful take part fully aware of what they are doing, actively engaged in the rite, and enriched by its effects."<BR/><BR/>In my youth I served at Latin Masses and was very aware when the change was made to English and the change in the Rite. I recently attended a Byzantine Rite Mass of the Liturgy of St John Chrysostom (the language used was English). I was very impressed by the beauty, symbolism and tradition that it radiated from every action and word, as well as the deep reverence that the celebrant, the servers and the congregation displayed. At the same time, I greatly appreciate the more active role and, in some ways, more interactive invitation of the Novus Ordo that is more widely celebrated offers - especially in the native tongue of the participants. I think either Mass is an appropriate expression of our love and reverence for God, and a format where we can experience community and communion with God and one another. In the invitation to which Fr. Feehily refers (which you also publish on your blog) it clearly states that, "Both forms of the Holy Mass are privileged expressions of the teaching of the Second Vatican Council that 'the liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; it is also the fount from which all her power flows.'"<BR/><BR/>I think Fr. Feehily must care deeply for his parishioners and all the faithful or else he would not have said anything. I also think his letter will help the readers have a better understanding of the "rest of the story" (as Paul Harvey states) about the differences between the Rites, yet the validity of both.johntheblessedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14350508665314422496noreply@blogger.com