Lady Immaculate’s Latin Mass a Trip into the Past

The Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest, Oak Park, Illinois published this report a few days ago and here's the way the story starts off:

As if Vatican II never happened: At Our Lady Immaculate Church, the Mass is in Latin, the priest faces the altar and all the women wear veils. Sound familiar? The altar sits against the wall, unlike those at the Vatican-approved Catholic churches where the priest faces the people.Radically traditional. Our Lady Immaculate’s Latin Mass is a trip into the past.

The article is a little longer than average but overall is well written and balaned and it sure does make for an interesting read. That's not to say that I agree with all that's been stated in the article. Since the story revolves around an SSPX parish, there is always the possibility of some controversial positions taken. Here's one quote for example:

Their critique begins with "the new Mass." They feel that Novus Ordo Missae - i.e. the Mass after the reforms of Vatican II with its use of the vernacular, changing the emphasis of the Eucharist (communion) from a sacrifice to a meal, moving altars away from the wall and omission of many rubrics in the Tridentine Mass - represents not only a "dissimulation of Catholic elements" and a "pandering to Protestants" but also "a danger to our faith, and, as such, evil." (Questions, p. 27)

Moving from liturgy to relations with other religions, SSPX contends that Vatican II has fostered an attitude of acceptance of religious pluralism that undermines the exclusive truth contained in the Catholic faith.

Of course anyone who claims to be faithful to the Pope could not make the bold charge against the new Mass, the Novus Ordo, that it was evil, although many other criticisms may be quite valid.

I must say I admired the statement made by the posted signs at the entrance of the Church:

"Out of respect for our Lord and for the edification of our neighbors we beg visitors to appear in church modestly dressed. For men, norms of modesty are not met by jeans, open shirts or tennis shoes. For women, they are not met by mini-skirts, sheer blouses, slacks or sleeveless or low cut dresses. Women are further asked to cover their heads [with "modesty veils"]. Your cooperation is evidence of your love for our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and respect for the House of God."

Go ahead and read the whole article. You'll learn something of the dynamics of the liturgical struggle.