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Bob March's avatar

I think it would be wise for all of us to stop automatically calling every change a “reform,” a word which usually carries positive connotations, as in the liturgical “reforms” of Pius XII. Just call change by its basic name, then make it clear whether you think it a good one, or leave that for the reader to decide.

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Kaleb Hammond's avatar

Good point, sir. I tend to associate 'reform' with the Protestant Revolution, so in a negative sense, but more properly it is intended to be positive, as in the Counter-Reformation, so I agree with you.

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A Catholic Pilgrim's avatar

Some monastic communities still carry some of the old practices of Holy Week and I was fortunate enough to participate in them many years ago in thwt context. The Lamentations are a particular favourite of mine. I go to the ICKSP and they still do the Tenebrae, albeit in the morning and I cannot get there at that time. So this afternoon I prayed the first ones, for the first time in years. A tradition well worth maintaining.

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Kaleb Hammond's avatar

Sadly the pre-1955 traditions are even harder to find than the TLM, but I imagine experiencing traditional Tenebrae in a monastic setting was very memorable. Do you remember if they used the strepitus at the end?

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A Catholic Pilgrim's avatar

I'm not sure, I don't remember. They used what I would describe as a “rattle” instead of bells during the triduum and they may have used it at the end of the Tenebrae office. They didn't do the candles though, so it wasn't 100% like the old version. But the Lamentations stick in my mind, so beautiful.

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