The True Colors of Schism in Self-Styled “Traditionalism”

The self-proclaimed “traditionalist” movement is showing its true colors more and more. I think they have probably always had schismatic tendencies, but in the past they seem to have been more subtle in their argumentation. This could very well be why the Holy Spirit chose Pope Francis for this era. Francis is forcing them to …

Thoughts on the film “Mass of the Ages” Parts 1 and 2

I wrote this up over a year ago but never posted it. With the recent release of Part III (which I have not watched yet) it seemed a fitting time to go ahead and finally hit publish. They keep changing the link and have made some edits to the original videos, so I’ve had to …

Tolkien and Modern Catholicism

That there is no allegory does not, of course, say there is no applicability. There always is. (Letter 203: 17 November 1957) I do not like allegory (properly so called: most readers appear to confuse it with significance or applicability). (Letter 215: April 1959) This post has the danger of giving the impression that I …

J.R.R. Tolkien, the Mass, Vatican II, and Misrepresentation by the SSPX

I came across this article by the SSPX called "Professor Tolkien Goes to Mass: What the Author and Scholar Saw that Others Dismissed". And I figured it required a response. Granted, it’s a short article, but I feel like it gives a shallow one-dimensional appraisal of Tolkien; as if they think he’d be one of …

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger on Receiving Communion: in the Hand or on the Tongue?

"The second objection we wanted to consider was directed against the act of receiving Communion: kneeling—standing, hand—mouth." …. "Well, here again we know that until the ninth century Communion was received in the hand, standing. That does not of course mean that it should always be so. For what is fine, sublime, about the Church …

Joseph Ratzinger on the Changes to the Offertory Prayers in the Reformed Liturgy

One of the constant criticisms that Traditionalists level at the Reformed Mass is the changes to the Offertory prayers. For example, a piece from Rorate Caeli says, "the Novus Ordo, like Cranmer’s missal, repudiates an oblative offertory, replacing it with a supper-oriented 'presentation of gifts' based on the Jewish berakah." Rad Trads think such a …

Is Sacrosanctum Concilium the Last Word on the Liturgy?

Disclaimer: This post is getting into some weeds, and it’s always easy to get things wrong when we’re getting into such minutiae. I am a simple Catholic layman trying to understand things based on the materials I can actually get ahold of, so I may be wrong on my conclusions. I am willing to be …

What is Happening to Joseph Pearce?

"There are kings of the earth who have despotic authority, which their subjects obey indeed but disown in their hearts; but we must never murmur at that absolute rule which the Sovereign Pontiff has over us, because it is given to him by Christ, and, in obeying him, we are obeying his Lord. We must …