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EOPLE IN FAVOR of legalized abortion often justify it by citing cases of rape and incest. This seems to be their “weapon of choice,” and they put faith in it. Progressives in favor of “updating” Catholic dogma often treat the Extraordinary Form as their “weapon of choice.” They continually denigrate it and feel that doing so helps their case.
Those who oppose abortion point out that very few of the 50 million abortions since Roe v. Wade were related to “rape and incest,” but this is the weaker argument.
Similarly, those in favor of traditional Church morality point out that the “obsession” with the Extraordinary Form by its critics is disproportionate (since not many Catholics currently attend the EF), but this, too, is the weaker argument.
The best way to counter the “rape and incest” argument is to remind folks that no matter how conception occurred, murdering an innocent child never helps. It only makes things worse. Likewise, the best way to counter assaults on the Extraordinary Form is to address them directly.
THE STANDARD ARGUMENT against the Extraordinary Form goes something like this:
The Extraordinary Form uses too much ceremonial, too many medieval gestures, and a dead language nobody understands. These things may be beautiful, but what is needed today is a mode of worship that speaks to “modern man.” The EF is all about Renaissance clothing and obsession with rubrics.
Quite simply, people who make such assertions don’t have a clue what the Extraordinary Form is all about.
The Extraordinary Form is totally centered on our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The prayers, propers, and readings are completely centered on our personal relationship with Christ. When the EF is offered by a priest who does everything correctly (and with seriousness), attending the traditional Latin Mass is like being transported back 2,000 years to Nazareth, encountering Christ directly.
The EF is, quite simply, a personal encounter with our Lord. Anybody who denigrates the EF is attacking Christ directly. They’re free to do so, since the USA is a free country, but they need to be honest about what they’re doing.
CAN I TELL YOU a secret? I’m glad opponents of the EF can’t stop talking about it. I’m glad they are obsessed. Years ago (c. 1990) very few people knew about the EF, and those who did were looked upon as loons.
Please note: I sincerely hope nobody will interpret my very strong support for the EF as an “attack” on the OF. However, this is the internet, so anything can happen … and often does.
