What is the difference between Traditional Catholicism and Modern Catholicism?

It is unfortunate that our Catholic Church currently faces this situation, which can be attributed to the changes implemented by the Second Vatican Council (11 October 1962 - 8 December 1965) as a result of the introduction of Liberalism and Ecumenism into the Church.

Traditional Catholicism encompasses the teachings and practices established from the inception of the Church, as handed down by Christ and His Apostles, until the modifications introduced by the Second Vatican Council in 1965. It emphasizes adherence to the Traditional Latin Mass and a life centered on the Mass, with a strong focus on reverence and holiness.

“Non-traditional Catholicism refers to the modifications introduced by progressive elements within the Church. For instance, the Mass was altered to be conducted in the vernacular (Novus Ordo), replacing Latin, and the orientation was changed to face the congregation rather than God. Additionally, women are no longer required to cover their hair in church. The inclusion of contemporary music and dancing in church services are also among the noticeable changes.”

Contemporary Catholicism supports interfaith worship, which involves transforming the worship space of one religion into a sacred space for multiple faiths. This approach is exemplified by Pope John Paul II's historic interfaith summit in Assisi in 1986, an initiative he continued in 1993 and 2002, and which was also led by Benedict XVI in 2011.

This action violates the First Commandment: "I am the Lord your God, ... You shall have no other gods before me."

The most notable change following Vatican II is the alteration in the form of the Mass. The Traditional Latin Mass is regarded as a sacrifice, specifically the unbloody sacrifice of Our Lord on Calvary. In contrast, the New Mass, known as the Novus Ordo Missae, is viewed not as a sacrifice but as a commemoration of the Last Supper. According to Catholic teaching, the holy sacrifice of the Mass fulfills all the sacrifices of the Old Covenant. In the New Covenant, the singular sacrifice on the altar of Calvary is revisited in every Catholic Mass. Through His death on the Cross, Jesus Christ merited all graces and blessings for us.

The Mass is considered a sacrifice, as it makes the sacrifice of Christ on the cross present and real each time the Eucharist is celebrated.

One simply needs to observe who is the focal point and how individuals participate, dress, and receive Holy Communion at the two Masses.

The following excerpt is from an article authored by Fr. Carota on January 29, 2015.

Many Catholics often evaluate the two forms of Mass based on their personal perspectives and preferences. However, as laypeople, we do not have the experience of celebrating either form of the Mass. From the viewpoint of a priest who has conducted both the Traditional Latin Mass and the Novus Ordo, the difference between the two is as distinct as day and night.

For Catholics born from the late 1960s onward , the experience with the Latin Mass is minimal or nonexistent. The New Mass is familiar and comfortable to them, as it is the only form they have ever known. Globally, the New Mass is the sole option available to Catholics, shaping their understanding and basis for judgment.

The orthodox Neo-Catholics, distinct from traditional Catholics, have consistently expressed concerns regarding significant liturgical abuses by priests who fail to adhere to the essential rubrics outlined in the New Roman Missal. These issues include instances where the celebrant alters the words of consecration, omits the Creed during Sunday Mass, neglects to genuflect when required, and administers communion to all attendees, including non-Catholics, at funerals or weddings, among other serious abuses observed during the New Mass.

Below is a compilation of observations made by Fr. Carota while celebrating both the Ancient Mass and the New Mass.

The entire emphasis of the Holy Latin Mass is on:

• worshiping God,

• experiencing Calvary as the real, non-bloody Sacrifice of Jesus being recreated on the Cross,

• the priest requesting Jesus to mediate with God the Father for the forgiveness of our sins,

• Humbly praying that at this sacrifice we may receive His salvation and graces.

During the Sacrifice of the Holy Latin Mass, it is evident that:

• God the Father operates through His Son, Jesus,

• In Persona Christi, Jesus operates through the priest.

• In the Latin Mass, there's a hierarchy similar to what you find in God's Kingdom and the Catholic Church, with bishops, priests, religious members, altar boys, and laypeople.

• The priest holds a unique role in offering prayers to God.

• The priest prays in secret, quietly and privately, the sacred part of the Canon and the words of consecration.

• People join Mary and Apostle St. John to reflect at the foot of the cross, as Jesus sacrifices His life to the Father for our salvation.

• The people are assisting at Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for them.

• People humbly and passively accept God’s graces through interior prayer.

• Folks humbly receive Jesus in Holy Communion by kneeling and receiving on the tongue.

• People pray and absorb the effects the Divine Mystery of the Holy Mass in silence.

• The choir's up in the loft, joining in with everyone in the sacred songs.

• The choir sings without seeking attention, focusing on honoring God rather than impressing the audience.

• The choir sings either acapella or accompanied with organ music.

• Gregorian Chant is sung to lift people's souls towards God.

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  The respect, adoration and protection given to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

  • The Holy Latin Mass must be conducted in a singular manner, adhering strictly to the prescribed rubrics.

  • The priest performs a significantly greater number of genuflections, bows, and blessings to God.

  • The Holy Chalice and Paten are consecrated exclusively for the purpose of holding the Body and Blood of God, and therefore, only the priest is permitted to touch them.

  • After the priest pronounces the words of consecration, he keeps his thumbs and index fingers together to ensure that any small fragments of the Body of Jesus are not inadvertently dropped on the altar or floor.

  • The priest consumes the Precious Blood of Jesus from one side of the Chalice to ensure that when he purifies it, he can accurately cleanse the area where the Blood was present.

  • During the reception of the Body of Christ, the priest places the paten under his chin to catch any particles that may fall on the altar.

  • He carefully scrapes the corporal with the paten to ensure that if any particle of the Body of Christ has landed on the corporal, it can be placed into the chalice to be consumed with the Blood of Christ.

  • Following the consecration, each time the priest unveils the chalice, he places his fingers on it to ensure stability and prevent any spillage of the Precious Blood of Jesus.

  • The Body of Christ is distributed with the assistance of an altar server holding the paten to ensure that no particles of the consecrated host fall to the ground.

  • In Holy Communion, only the priest is permitted to touch God.

  • Everyone's supposed to kneel and take communion on the tongue.

  • The priest performs the purification of the Chalice following Holy Communion, first with wine and then with a mixture of wine and water, ensuring that every drop of the Precious Blood of Jesus is reverently purified.

  • The priest purifies his thumbs and index fingers with water and wine over the chalice to ensure that any small particles of the host are collected and consumed.

  • People kneel in gratitude and thanks after receiving Holy Communion.

  • People usually pray and keep quiet in the church.

  • Women wear veils to cover their heads.

  • People dress in their Sunday best, demonstrating respect and modesty.​

    

    The New Mass is focused on representing and presiding in the name of the congregation.

    • Rather than concentrating on being in Persona Christi, the Celebrant emphasizes representing and presiding on behalf of the congregation.

    • The Celebrant faces the congregation rather than God.

    • In all reality, the Celebrant is the center of the “show”. Often he will make jokes.

    • Little in the words of the New Mass contains references to the sacrificial aspect of the Mass.

    • The new mass places a greater emphasis on the "Commemoration of the Last Supper."

    • Instead of an altar for priestly sacrifice, there is merely a wooden table.

    • The presider consistently prays aloud to ensure that the congregation can hear him.

    • The emphasis is on individuals actively participating through responses, embracing, standing, sitting, kneeling, singing, and processing to receive Holy Communion.

    • The New Mass involves numerous participants, including Lectors and Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers.

    • Numerous individuals, including members of a Rock Band and other Choir groups, are present in or move around the Sanctuary.

    • All types of music and singing are permitted.

    • The choir and musicians perform for the congregation while facing them.

    • The music performed aims to evoke feelings of happiness, well-being, warmth, and excitement.

    • Applause is encouraged to congratulate individuals or during the singing of songs while in the church.

    • It is common for children and other individuals to be invited to gather around the altar to pray with the presider.

    • People love it because it focuses on the charming children and the individuals.

    • The celebrant is seated at the presider's chair facing the congregation, rather than facing God.

    • Everything is highly external and lacks contemplation.

    • Minimal silence.

    • There is minimal kneeling in reverence to God.

    • The New Roman Missal offers numerous "pastoral" options for celebrating the Mass.

    • Many women attend mass wearing attire such as revealing tops, tight pants, and shorts.

    • Men show up wearing shorts.

    • Sometimes, lectors and extraordinary ministers show up on the altar wearing revealing or inappropriate outfits.

    • People and priests chat and hang out loudly in church before and after mass.

    • Most people receive Holy Communion standing.

    • They receive the Eucharist in their hand.

    • We all need to stay standing until everyone has gone up together to receive Holy Communion.

    • There's not much time after Holy Communion to reflect and thank God for coming into our souls.

    • After getting Holy Communion, people typically sit down instead of kneeling.

    • Big hosts are used to symbolize that we're all part of one body, and when they're broken, bits can scatter all over the corporal, altar, and floor. It's happened to me.

    • Very rarely are patens used to catch the Body of Christ or crumbs that might fall.

    • In Catholic churches, particles of the Body of Christ often end up on the floor when people receive it in their hands, and then everyone ends up walking over them.

    • Everyone takes hold of the chalice handed to them by the minister to receive the Blood of Christ.

    • Often the Precious Blood of Christ is spilled on people or the floor.

    • Priests are supposed to clean the sacred vessels at mass, but it's often left for others to do.

    • The purification of the chalice is cleaned with only water.

    • It is quite impossible for the priest to purify the chalice thoroughly the spots where everyone drinks from the top of the chalice as it's passed around by the Extraordinary Ministers during communion.

      
      

  The ultimate question is: Do we genuinely believe that God/Jesus is present in the Holy Sacrament of the Altar? If the answer is yes, then God is worthy of adoration, respect, and protection. This should inspire everyone reading this article to choose to attend the Holy Latin Mass.

  As a priest who celebrates both the New Mass and the Latin Mass, I find that the Latin Mass includes significantly more rubrics to safeguard the Body and Blood of Jesus from any form of desecration. It distinctly emphasizes the sacrificial aspect of the Holy Mass and the priesthood. Unlike the Protestant focus on the Last Supper and the phrase “do this in remembrance of Me” as advocated by Luther, the Latin Mass incorporates prayers and gestures that more effectively promote the adoration Jesus deserves from us, His creatures. Consequently, the Latin Mass is more pleasing to God than the New Mass.

  ​“By their fruits you shall know them.” Matthew 7:15-20 - based on a statistical report in 2003 as a result of the changes - see image below.

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  The following survey highlights the differences in beliefs and practices:

  
  

  • Only 2% of Traditional Catholics approved of contraception, compared to 89% of Modern Catholics.

  • Only 1% of Traditional Catholics supported abortion, while 51% of Modern Catholics did.

  • 99% of Traditional Catholics reported attending Mass weekly, compared to 22% of Modern Catholics.

  • 2% of Traditional Catholics supported "gay marriage," compared to 67% of Modern Catholics.

  
  

  There is a lot to read to comprehend and learn about the reasons and nature of the changes that have led to this unfortunate situation in the church.