France: Strict observance of the Motu Proprio according to Solesmes
On the occasion of the publication of a Practical Guide to Gregorian Chant by the Benedictine abbey of Solesmes, it author, Dom Jacques-Marie Guilmard gave a unilateral interpretation of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum on the liberalization of the use of the Traditional Missal: the Mass of Paul VI must not change, only its celebration must be improved; on the other hand, the Tridentine Mass must evolve by changing to the calendar and readings used in the liturgy of Paul VI, and then consider the possibilities of saying the canon aloud, concelebration…He was responding to questions put to him by Cécile Laurent of the agency Zenit:
How will the two forms of the Roman rite influence each other?
Dom J.-M. Guilmard: the mutual influence of the two forms of the unique Roman rite will not be symmetrical. The Motu Proprio – and this has not been sufficiently remarked upon – will allow the Tridentine form to evolve, but it will happen in an organic and natural manner, exactly as a living person develops. It will move closer to the form desired by Paul VI: the calendar and the readings may from now on be borrowed from the Paul VI form; perhaps later on will come – only time will tell – the recitation of the Eucharistic prayer aloud, concelebration and the use of other prayers, etc. The form of Paul VI for its part will not change, aside from the fact that priests have the duty to always cultivate more and more the sense of the sacred, which is achieved especially through respect for the rubrics – these two points were emphasized by Benedict XVI.
Nevertheless, the reform of the reform was proposed!
Dom J.-M. Guilmard: The idea is attractive, but in reality there would be a great risk of launching a permanent revolution in the liturgy. If the liturgy of Paul VI has to undergo reforms, these will be isolated and will be made at the level of specific churches. For example, one could improve certain translations, or celebrate once again the Rogation Days whose “ecological” aspect is particularly topical. Once again, it is not for the liturgy of Paul VI to change, but the priests must celebrate their Mass with an ever more supernatural care. I am told that for some, this will demand a veritable conversion! To this I would reply that for all priests, every Mass is the occasion for a veritable conversion. So, the debate is less about the liturgical “forms” than about concern for fidelity to the Church and to Her public prayer. One should not retain only the formalism of the Tridentine form, as if respect for the rubrics alone were sufficient to celebrate the Mass: there is no “technique” for the workings of grace. As soon as interest in the rubrics becomes of primary importance, the sense of the sacred disappears. In all liturgical forms of the Mass, the sense of the sacred must be nurtured. (Source: Zenit)
