The Traditional Mass: History, Form, and Theology of the Classical Roman Rite by Michael Fiedrowicz (review)

English speakers are in Rose Pfeifer's debt for her laudable translation of the 2019, fifth edition of Michael Fiedrowicz's The Traditional Mass. This book is an exemplary scholarly introduction to the content, meaning, and history of what is commonly called the "Latin Mass." The book aims principally for breadth, but at 304 body pages it also treats each of its topics with significant depth. The extensive footnotes and 15-page bibliography, organized by topic, are a tremendous resource for those wishing to do further research.

Fiedrowicz's book is divided into three parts. Part I ("History") traces and assesses the historical development of the Roman Eucharistic rite. Chapter 1 succinctly details the growth of the Roman Mass from the apostolic era up to its revision in the 1962 Roman Missal. With this historical context in place, chapter 2 assesses the appropriateness of the various titles which have been given to the "Mass of the Ages" (46). Chapter 3 defends the theological legitimacy of the changes that occurred to the Roman Rite over the course of centuries. These various additions and reforms were always enacted in order to better express and protect the essence of the sacred mystery that is the Mass (54). Reforms were always "cautious and restrained," while additions always consisted of venerable liturgical customs that had already been proven in practice (55–56).

Part II ("Form") studies the basic meaning of the structure and various parts of the Mass. Chapter 4 discusses the three levels of solemnity with which the Mass can be celebrated. Chapter 5 is an outstanding, step by step exposition of the meaning and historical origin of every major part of both the Mass of the Catechumens and the Mass of the Faithful. Chapter 6 covers the meaning of liturgical seasons and feast days. Chapter 7 treats the history and theological significance of ad orientem, versus altare and ad Dominum liturgical prayer. These practices express and promote faith in the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist as well as the theocentric and sacrificial character of the Mass (147–150). Chapter 8 concerns the history and value of the Mass's use of Latin and Gregorian chant. Fiedrowicz makes a strong case for the exclusive use of a sacred language at Mass and claims that catechesis, not vernacular liturgies, is the best way to help the faithful understand the meaning of the Eucharistic liturgy (166). Chapter 9 examines the importance of rites, rubrics, and aesthetics to the promotion of the liturgy's sacred character. Fiedrowicz also expounds how the "active participation" of the laity in Mass is actualized primarily through their deliberate, prayerful, interior attempts to unite themselves with the sacrifice of Christ and adore his Eucharistic presence (225–231).

Part III ("Theology") is an exegesis of the major dogmatic and theological truths contained in the prayers of the Latin Mass. Chapters 10 and 15 open and close this section by emphasizing how the public prayer of the Mass is the principal means by which the Church proclaims divinely revealed truth and fosters an orthodox, living faith among the people; hence, the theological content of the Mass matters. Chapter 11 describes how some of the orations of the classic rite bear witness to challenging theological truths that get watered down in the corresponding orations of the 1970 missal (239). Chapter 12 explores the history and logic of the lectionary. The readings in the older rite were chosen to illuminate the particular season or feast during which they were read. Their annual recurrence on fixed days helped the faithful to internalize their letter and spirit (252–253). Chapter 13 demonstrates how the offertory prayers which proceed the Roman Canon manifest the Church's faith in the sacrificial nature of the Mass. In the offertory the bread and wine are offered as "victims" to God, but these oblations are not independent and divinizing sacrifices...