In principio.

Next week on 4 December 2013 we observe the fiftieth anniversary of the promulgation by Pope Paul VI of the Second Vatican Council's Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium (SC).

This blog is being created as a resource for those Catholics who desire to see the teachings and directives of the Second Vatican Council respected and observed in the celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the Latin Rites of the Catholic Church. The 1962 Roman Missal was the missal of the Second Vatican Council. The final vote on the Council's Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy was 2147 in the affirmative (including Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre) and 4 in the negative.

From the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy

of the Second Vatican Council

4 December 1963

"The Church earnestly desires that all the faithful be led to that full, conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations called for by the very nature of the liturgy. Such participation by the Christian people as 'a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people' (1 Pt 2:9, see 2:4-5) is their right and duty by reason of their baptism." (SC no. 14, para. 1)

"Nevertheless steps should be taken enabling the faithful to say or to sing together in Latin those parts of the Ordinary of the Mass belonging to them." (SC no. 54, para. 2)

From the Encyclical "Mediator Dei"

of the Venerable Pius XII, Pope

20 November 1947

"Therefore, they are to be praised who with the idea of getting the Catholic people to take part more easily and more fruitfully in the Mass strive to make them familiar with the 'Roman Missal,' so that the faithful, united with the priest may pray together in the very words and sentiments of the Church. They also are to be commended who strive to make the Liturgy even in an external way a sacred act in which all who are present may share. This can be done in more than one way, when, for instance, the whole congregation in accordance with the rules of the Liturgy, either answer the priest in an orderly and fitting manner, or sing hymns suitable to the different parts of the Mass, or do both, or finally in High Masses when they answer the prayers of the minister of Jesus Christ and also sing the liturgical chant."

From the Motu Proprio "Tra le sollecitudini"

of Saint Pius X, Pope

22 November 1903

"There [i.e, in their churches] Our people assemble for the purpose of acquiring the Christian spirit from its first and indispensable source, namely, active participation in the most sacred mysteries and in the public and solemn prayer of the Church."

. . .

"Gregorian Chant must be restored to the people so that they may again take a more active part in the sacred liturgy, as was the case in ancient times."