A Comparison of the Traditional and Novus Ordo Rites of the Seven Sacraments
Daniel Graham - PB - 230 pages
Much has been said lately about the poor catechesis of young Catholics over the past fifty years. One of the most important tools that the Church uses to teach is the words and actions used during the administration of the sacraments. Many Catholics tend to think of the seven sacraments only as channels of grace for living the supernatural life in Christ, but they are also critically important for teaching purposes, since they express the will of God and the doctrines of the Faith in a very concrete fashion. Sacramental moments are the most important in every Catholic life, and every detail of their administration and reception should be as solemn and as perfect as possible.
That they have not been so, and in fact cannot be to the younger generations growing up since Vatican II, is because the new rites do not express the Catholic Faith without ambiguity and confusion. The results are clear to see in the catastrophic decline in practically every statistical and spiritual indicator for the last fifty years. The lack of clarity, erroneous doctrines, protestantized phraseology, and modernist lingo that characterize the new rites makes it fairly certain that a decline of faith and morality will follow inevitably from the reception of the sacraments in the new rites. In fact, we no longer have to predict that result. The history of the last fifty years proves it to be true.
Lex Orandi is a clear and succinct analysis of the differences between the Catholic rites of all seven sacraments as administered from time immemorial and the new rites brutally forced upon the Faithful in the wake of the Council. It is also a call to the Faithful to reject reception of the sacraments in the new rites and demand that their pastors administer the ancient rites as they have always been administered. Church law, and the primary Canonical imperative of lex suprema est salus animarum should compel the Faithful to demand their rights, so that God is honored and souls are saved.
Table of Contents
Preface • vii
Introduction • 1
Chapter 1: Baptism • 9
The Two Rites Address Different Parties • 9
The Drama of the Rescue Compared to a Celebratory Initiation • 10
Eliminating the Four Exorcisms • 11
Staying True to Scripture • 12
Constancy vs. Variety Provides Insight to Priorities • 12
Repetition of Key Words Indicates Relative Importance • 13
Questioning • 14
Exsufflation • 17
Sign of the Cross • 18
First Laying of Hands • 19
Blessing the Salt and Imposition of Salt • 20
Readings and Intercessions • 21
Second Confrontation, Sign of the Cross, and Laying of Hands • 23
Admission into the Church • 25
Solemn Exorcism • 26
Traditional Rite Ephphetha • 27
Renunciation or Rejection • 27
Profession of Faith • 30
Anoint with Oil of Catechumens • 30
Entering the Baptistry • 31
Preamble to the Baptism and Blessing the Water • 32
The Sacrament • 33
Anointing with Chrism • 34
Clothing with White Garment • 35
Lighted Candle • 36
Novus Ordo Rite Ephphetha • 36
Conclusion of the Baptism • 37
Final Blessing • 38
Summary of Findings • 39
Quick References to Protestant Adaptation • 41
Chapter 2: Penance or Reconciliation • 43
The Title – Penance Compared to Reconciliation • 45
Preface and Confession • 45
Act of Contrition • 46
Prayers for the Penitent • 48
Formal Absolution • 50
Prayer for Remission of Punishment • 51
Proclamation of Praise and Dismissal • 52
Summary of Findings • 52
Chapter 3: The Mass and Holy Eucharist • 55
Prayers at the Foot of the Altar • 59
Confession • 62
Kyrie Eleison • 66
Gloria • 67
Readings • 69
Nicene Creed • 70
Petitions or Bidding Prayers • 72
Offertory • 73
The Lavabo • 77
The Orate Fratres • 79
Preface to the Canon • 79
The Canon of the Mass • 81
The Sanctus • 82
Te Igitur • 83
The Commemoration of the Living • 84
The Communicantes • 85
The Hanc Igitur • 86
Quam Oblationem • 86
Consecration of the Host • 87
Consecration of the Wine • 88
Memorial Acclamation • 92
Offering the Victim to God • 93
The Commemoration of the Dead • 94
The Our Father to the Commingling • 96
Agnus Dei • 99
Communion Prayers • 101
Communion of the Faithful • 103
Blessing and Dismissal • 105
The Last Gospel • 106
Prayers at the End of a Low Mass • 107
Summary of Findings • 108
Chapter 4: Confirmation • 113
Preparatory Ceremonies • 114
Imposition of Hands • 115
The Sacrament • 117
General Intercessions • 119
Concluding Prayers • 120
Final Blessing • 122
Summary of Findings • 123
Chapter 5: Marriage • 125
Preamble • 130
Questioning • 132
The Essential Words of the Marriage • 133
Confirmation of the Marriage • 137
Blessing of the Wedding Rings • 138
Exchange of Rings • 139
Blessing the Spouses • 142
Nuptial Blessing • 144
The Dismissal • 148
Summary of Findings • 149
Chapter 6: Extreme Unction (Last Rites) or Sacrament of the Sick • 153
Introductory Prayers • 154
Instruction • 156
Confession • 157
Liturgy of the Word • 159
Litany • 159
Laying of Hands • 160
Blessing the Oil • 162
Anointing (The Sacrament) • 163
Prayer After the Anointing • 165
The Our Father • 167
Conclusion of the Rite • 167
Summary of Findings • 169
Chapter 7: Ordination to the Priesthood • 173
Interdict • 174
Presentation of the Candidates • 175
Bishop’s Address, Part 1 • 175
Bishop’s Address, Part 2 • 178
Examination of Candidates • 182
Novus Ordo Promise of Obedience • 183
Litany of the Saints and Laying of Hands • 184
The Solemn Prayer and Form of the Sacrament • 186
The Essential Form • 188
Investiture of the New Priests • 190
Veni Creator • 192
Anointing of Hands • 193
Presentation of the Host and Chalice or Presentation of the Gifts • 194
Responsory • 195
The Commission to Absolve • 196
The Traditional Promise of Obedience • 197
Admonition and Blessing • 198
Final Exhortation • 199
Summary of Findings • 200
Chapter 8: Conclusions • 203
Chronology of Changes (1968 to 1983) • 204
Novus Ordo View of Reality • 206
Shifting the Focus from God to Man • 208
Priorities Define the Group • 210
Collectivism • 212
Ecumenism • 213
Ambiguity Creates Doubt • 215
Reality or Fantasy • 218
Choosing a Rite is Choosing What to Believe • 219