Novus Ordo or Traditional Latin Mass?

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                     Novus Ordo Mass

Ever since Vatican II (1962 -1965), there has been a debate within the Catholic Church about which Mass is best and/or authentic.  Is it the Traditional Latin Mass, also known as the Tridentine Mass, or isit the new Mass promulgated by Vatican II, called the Novus Ordo?

I am embarrassed to say, but the debate has gotten so intense at times, it has divided the people within our very own Church.  With the little research I have done, my sense is that both Masses are beautiful, valid and authentic - when done properly by the priest and congregation.  (Yes, the congregation needs to do its part properly too.)  Both Masses have their place, and like it is with so many other things in the Catholic Church, it is not an either/or, but a both/and.
                                 

                                            Traditional Latin Mass

Having said that, it is clear that the Novus Ordo has gotten a bad rap because it has been abused so widely; that is, the priest and congregation have gone outside the limits of what Mass is supposed to be.  One priest recently wrote about his experience celebrating the Novus Ordo.  Click here

The bottom  line is that we do not have to divide ourselves and put one form  of Mass down over another.  Instead, we can join together and celebrate both forms for what they literally bring to the Table.

Click here for the text of the English Novus Ordo Mass.        
Click here for the text of the Traditional Latin Mass.
                                                                                  
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images - http://www.davidmacd.com/catholic/mass.htm
http://blog.adw.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/elevation-of-host.jpg
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