Initial Thoughts on the Pope’s Desiderio

My first thought on the recent liturgical Motu Proprio of Pope Francis, Desiderio Desideravi, was similar to Peter Kwasnieski’s – that the Holy Father’s reasoning hinges upon one disputable principle: That the current liturgy in the Church is a direct fruit of the Second Vatican Council, willed into being, at least in potentia, by the conciliar Fathers themselves.

As we pointed out earlier, before the Pope’s letter, the way the Novus Ordo is celebrated bears little resemblance to what was envisaged by those 2,900 bishops gathered in Rome in 1962. Most of those mitred heads, when they gave their ‘ayes’ to the Constitution on the Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, would have balked mightily had they foreseen the loss of so much – Gregorian chant, polyphony, Latin, transcendence, silence, solemnity, mystery, all of which are called for in the conciliar documents.

Whatever the Pope’s intentions may be, a reduction of the sacramental symbolic mystery, as Josef Ratzinger argued, leads almost inevitably to a reduction of faith. At first, as a young peritus at the Council, Father Ratzinger was all on board with the new mode of liturgy, and some reform was likely needed. But he was soon disillusioned, seeing the iconoclastic mayhem of the post-conciliar era, recounted in gory detail in countless articles and books, to say nothing of the lived experience of many readers. What the liturgy needed was a bit of light gardening – think a bonsai tree, and not a backhoe.

Where we go from here is anyone’s guess. As much as Pope Francis is determined, it does not seem the usus antiquior is going away anytime soon. Yes, they are relatively small in number, but with thriving parishes full of young and growing families. One wonders what will happen to the Novus Ordo, as so many parishes fade to grey, and to oblivion. Will it be reformed and rehabilitated, brought into ‘order’? Will the traditional Mass help shape and form the new Mass, as Pope Benedict had hoped? What of the burgeoning developing world, and the millions of Catholics across the globe? Whither their liturgical future? What will hold it all together?

One thing is for certain, God will not abandon us. The Church, and the sacraments, are Christ’s, and may His will be done.

And as we pilgrimage through life, we must not abandon the sacraments, nor Christ Himself! We should strive, in our own way, to make the Mass as solemn and reverent as we might, especially by our own interior disposition, which is the primary way we participate in the Holy Liturgy. Offer up what we must – and we should learn to tolerate some level of imperfection – while rejoicing in what we are given, always striving higher for the true, the good and the beautiful, a sacrifice that is pleasing to God.

A Closed, Unsustainable, Descending Loop

As a follow-up to my thoughts on Payette’s payout, here be a stark image of where are here in Canada. As the graph shows in, well, graphic terms, since 2025, the public sector has contributed to 95.5% of economic growth. The private sector – which funds the public sector, or is supposed to – has[…]Continue reading→

Remembering Father Alphonse de Valk

(Today marks the sixth anniversary of the death of Father Alphonse de Valk, C.S.B., a faithful, courageous and indefatigable Basilian priest, pro-life-and-family apostle, and the founder of Catholic Insight magazine. Here is what we wrote those on his entering into eternity five years ago, as we continue to remember him in our prayers and thoughts)[…]Continue reading→

Presidential Pardon of Weronika Krawczyk

As a good news, follow-up to our story from Poland, of the persecution of Weronika Krawczyk for her pro-life views, we heard that she has been granted a presidential pardon. One might still wonder why one needs a presidential pardon for simply holding the long-held belief that the child within the womb is a child,[…]Continue reading→

Pope Leo and a Rosary for Peace

Pope Leo XIV has asked Catholics across the world to join him in a Rosary for peace today, at 18:00 Rome time (6 pm), which would be noon from where I write (EST). If you are able, whether at that time or another, and in whatever way you pray, to join in intercession with the[…]Continue reading→

Payette’s Payout

I was glancing through some headlines, and noticed a mention of Julie Payette – engineer and astronaut and sometime the Queen’s representative in Canada – which brought back vague memories. She was appointed Governor-General by Justin Trudeau in 2017. Ms. Payette resigned in 2021, amidst claims that she created a ‘toxic work environment’, with allegations[…]Continue reading→

Saint Stanislaus of Szczepanów

We celebrate Saint Stanislaus today (+ April 11, 1079), in light of this Easter Octave, a bishop and martyr who accepted the episcopacy only at the direct order of Pope Alexander II. He proved a wise and courageous leader of his flock, put to death by his own king, Boleslaus, for rebuking the monarch’s ‘immoral[…]Continue reading→

Weronika Krawczyk and Injustice in Poland

Catholic Action in Poland has issued a formal statement appealing to the President of the Republic of Poland to pardon Weronika Krawczyk—convicted for warning other women against an abortion-performing gynaecologist. Catholic Action (AK) emphasizes that no apology is owed to a doctor who has performed numerous abortions and proposed others; furthermore, the organization considers the[…]Continue reading→

Three Easter Musical Gems: Bach, Palestrina and Byrd

A very blessed and glorious Easter! Christus surrexit vere, alleluia! As we begin this Easter Octave with the great Solemnity of Easter, music to lift the soul would be one of Bach’s Easter cantatas, composed during his time at Leipzig in the early 1700’s, for the six Sundays of this festive season, leading up to[…]Continue reading→

Saint Isidore of Seville, the Internet and Industriousness

Today, April 4th, muted this year by Holy Saturday, is the commemoration of Saint Isidore of Seville (560-636) a bishop and doctor of the Church during a tumultuous age, when civilization was crumbling, coming apart at its very seams, which may sound sort of au courant. Then again, the form of this world has always[…]Continue reading→

An Ancient Homily for Holy Saturday

The time between Good Friday and Easter Sunday is one of waiting, in silence, as the world wonders – anticipates – what will happen, after the death of Christ. We re-live this time each year in the anamnesis of our liturgy, and in turn look forward to the glorious re-creation of all things at the[…]Continue reading→