Been busy, but not for lack of attention. Noting, with interest, a few items which may be of interest:

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Andrea Tornielli reports in il Giornale that the reform of the reform, long awaited, may finally be on its way. Tornielli reports that a document was delivered to the Pope from the Congregation for Divine Worship, following a vote therein, recommending a number of changes to the Novus Ordo. It reports also that this document has been approved by the Pope. Changes like this take time, but perhaps there is light at the end of the tunnel. The list of proposed changes includes (translation from the wonderful Rorate Caeli with Bullets added by me.)

The Cardinals and Bishops members of the Congregation voted almost unanimously in favor of a greater sacrality of the rite, of the recovery of the sense of eucharistic worship,

* of the recovery of the Latin language in the celebration,
* and of the remaking of the introductory parts of the Missal in order to put a stop to abuses, wild experimentations, and inappropriate creativity.
* They have also declared themselves favorable to reaffirm that the usual way of receiving Communion according to the norms is not on the hand, but in the mouth. There is, it is true, an indult which, on request of the [local] episcopates, allows for the distribution of the host [sic] on the palm of the hand, but this must remain an extraordinary fact and not considered normal.
* The "Liturgy Minister" of Pope Ratzinger, Cañizares, is also having studies made on the possibility to recover the orientation towards the Orient of the celebrant, at least at the moment of the eucharistic consecration, as it happened in practice before the reform, when both the faithful and the priest faced towards the Cross and the priest therefore turned his back to the assembly.


This is amazing and wonderful news. Without a doubt this will necessarily move slowly, but move it will. Also without doubt the usual suspects will grind their teeth and make all sorts of rude noises about it. They're on the outskirts of the reform now, though, so, the same old tired whining will go on. But, in all things the pendulum is swinging the other way. Considering the pace at which things move in Rome, I'm not convinced that my funeral will be in a restored Mass, but, there is always that hope, right?

I will pray for this intention every day.