Short history of a worshiper's dealing with the post-Vatican 2 mass, in which complaints abounded

In a somewhat desperate move some 30 years ago, he settled on the importance of ignoring what’s up front during mass, noting the following . . .

. . . for instance, various ministers thrust up front according to post-Vatican 2 rules. It’s not their fault, the worshiper conceded. But politeness did not require looking at them, he decided. So he didn’t look but minded his own business, reading and meditating on the day's Scripture or (more likely) whatever occurred to him as suggested by the holy ritual or (more often) by the needs of his so-called spiritual life, there being too much going on up front -- all that traipsing to and fro, with book held high over forehead as if to ward off falling plaster, for instance, prior to reading Scripture of the day, none of which he found helpful but merely distracting. Awkward it was, even laughable.

Additionally, he might look up and see the priest looking at him. The good man couldn’t help it — reverentially downcast eyes had not been part of his training. But the worshiper could help it by not looking, and this became his frequent practice.

In due time, he decided a book was in order on the knotty issue and tried out some titles:

Those Old Novus Ordo Blues: How Vatican 2 was betrayed by liturgical enthusiasts in the late 1960s

My Novus Ordo Blues: Extremely Old Catholic Looks Back

Novus Ordo Reconsidered: A Meditation

The New Mass Reconsidered: A Meditation

Novus Ordo Reconsidered: A Meditation on What Happened Since Vatican II

The Mass Since Vatican II: A Meditation

Novus Ordo: The Catholic Mass Since Vatican II

Warmed up with those, and then with a head of steam, suggested two more:

Novus Ordo: The mass since Vatican II and how it tore the heart out of religious devotion [!]

Novus Ordo: The mass since Vatican II and how it offered the church opportunity for respect for conscience — to respect or not to respect (the people of God)

So it went with our doughty would-be book writer, who had already dug for information and observations to flesh out one or more of the titles.

Along the way, he found this about a pope who gave a boost to going it alone at mass. He was Pius XII, who in 1947 spoke of how to hear mass in his Mediator Dei encyclical, defending the massgoer’s right to be different.

“So varied and diverse are men’s talents and characters,” he said, “that it is impossible for all to be moved and attracted to the same extent by community prayers, hymns and liturgical services.

Impossible, he said, confirming what when you get down to it should be obvious. Going further, bless him . . .

Moreover, the needs and inclinations of all are not the same, nor are they always constant in the same individual.

Let me read that last again. Not always constant in the same individual. Of course not, but isn’t it lovely to hear it from a supreme pontiff?

He continued the argument:

Who, then, would say, on account of such a prejudice, that all these Christians cannot participate in the Mass [or] share its fruits?

Only a blackguard, whom it is best to leave unnamed or subject to insensitive speculation. “On the contrary,” continues this Everyman pope.

. . . they can adopt some other method which proves easier for certain people; for instance, they can lovingly meditate on the mysteries of Jesus Christ or perform other exercises of piety or recite prayers which, though they differ from the sacred rites, are still essentially in harmony with them.

Stopping right there, if you don’t mind. The pope of this worshiper’s youth hath spoken, giving him and anyone else a sort of pontifical passport to mass attendance as, if you don’t mind, the Spirit moves them.