Vatican II QUESTION from R. D. July 11, 2001
Was Vatican II really necessary? Why did they have to change the Mass of more then 1000 years existence, to a new Mass which was (as I heard) help composed by 6 Protestant ministers? All, from what I observe, the council has caused is sacrileges against the Eucharist, low numbers in religious & in priests, disobedient priests and religious, immodesty, and a more unneeded family atmosphere in churches rather then a reverent atmosphere. Compare the tridentine sanctuary to that of a sanctuary after the council. There is no more beauty. The smell of votive candles and incense has been replaced by the smell of baking cookies and pastries. It has also caused much division in the church (i.e., sedavacantis shismatics modernists and traditionalists) Back then the thought of women priests was unthinkable and now we have nuns in vestments pretending to say mass. So what was the use of the council? BY THEIR FRUITS WE WILL KNOW THEM If only more churches were like Our Lady of the Angels. Thanks for your work.
ANSWER by Mr. Jacob Slavek on July 14, 2001
Dear R.D.,
The reasons for the reform of the Sacred Liturgy are explained in the first paragraph of Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Vatican II document which began the liturgical renewal.

1. This sacred Council has several aims in view: it desires to impart an ever increasing vigor to the Christian life of the faithful; to adapt more suitably to the needs of our own times those institutions which are subject to change; to foster whatever can promote union among all who believe in Christ; to strengthen whatever can help to call the whole of mankind into the household of the Church. The Council therefore sees particularly cogent reasons for undertaking the reform and promotion of the liturgy. This document is available in our library at http://www.saint-mike.org/Library/Church_Councils/Vatican_II/Sacrosanctum_Concilium.html. I encourage everyone to read this before they blame Vatican II for the loss of beauty at Mass.
I myself believe that the liturgical renewals are all good, when properly implemented, and that when the proper changes were made to the Liturgy, many bishops and priests siezed the opportunity to add thier own little changes which eventually became BIG changes.. for example, the virtual loss of Latin in the Liturgy. Read Sacrosanctum Concilium, it REQUIRES that Latin be retained!!(n.36) However, when the English missal was approved for use, almost everyone got rid of the Latin, despite the wishes of the council.
I hope that you will find a parish that celebrates the new Mass reverantly, and with beauty. If not, it certainly is okay to contact your bishop and ask him to provide a Mass which does. I have found that some priests are a little slow, they WILL NOT offer a beautiful, reverant Mass if the are not aware of the demand for it.
Mr. Slavek
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