A Short Critical Study of the Novus Ordo Missae

The Ottaviani Intervention was the response of Cardinals Ottaviani and Bacci, and other theologians in response to the Novus Ordo Missae. It outlines the fundamental theological fundation of the New Mass, and how it differs from the church’s theology of the Mass from time immemorial, clearly outlining how new theology is at the foundation of the Novus Ordo Missae, placing it at odds with Catholicism.

Preface

An introduction to the entire document, outlining it’s goals and mission.

Section 1 - History of Change

The new form of Mass was substantially rejected by the Episcopal Synod, was never submitted to the collegial judgement of the Episcopal Conferences and was never asked for by the people. It has every possibility of satisfying the most modernist of Protestants.

Section 2 - Definition of the Mass

By a series of equivocations the emphasis is obsessively placed upon the ‘supper’ and the ‘memorial’ instead of on the unbloody renewal of the Sacrifice of Calvary.

Section 3 - Presentation of Ends

The three ends of the Mass are altered:- no distinction is allowed to remain between Divine and human sacrifice; bread and wine are only “spiritually” (not substantially) changed.

Section 4 - The Essence

The Real Presence of Christ is never alluded to and belief in it is implicitly repudiated.

Section 5 - The Elements of Sacrifice

The position of both priest and people is falsified and the Celebrant appears as nothing more than a Protestant minister, while the true nature of the Church is intolerably misrepresented.

Section 6 - The Destruction of Unity

The abandonment of Latin sweeps away for good and all unity of worship. This may have its effect on unity of belief and the New Order has no intention of standing for the Faith as taught by the Council of Trent to which the Catholic conscience is bound.

Section 7 - The Alienation of the Orthodox

While pleasing various dissenting groups, the New Order will alienate the East.

Section 8 - The Abandonment of Defences

The New Order teems with insinuations or manifest errors against the purity of the Catholic religion and dismantles all defences of the deposit of Faith.