Sacred Then and Sacred Now:
The Return of the Old Latin Mass
by Thomas E. Woods, Jr.
Roman Catholic Books, 2007

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"Professor Woods has written an excellent introduction to the traditional Latin Mass for priests and lay persons who want to know more about the 'extraordinary form of the Mass' which is now an official part of the liturgy of the Catholic Church. Professor Woods is to be complimented for presenting a short introduction to the traditional Latin Mass for all Catholics- priests and laity. The book brings the reader quickly up to date and the text is well documented with references to the ancient liturgy, to the Magisterium, to the current and recent popes. It is obvious from what Woods says and quotes that the old Mass has made a dramatic comeback in the liturgical life of the Catholic Church and is the wave of the future. Ten years from now the worship of the Church will be close to what it was before the drastic innovations of 1970." -Fr. Kenneth Baker, S.J., Editor, Homiletic & Pastoral Review

"An excellent place to start for anyone who has even a mild interest in the old Mass." -Rev. James Buckley, FSSP

"Woods has compiled a book that will take its rightful place as a resource in its own right as the liturgy of the Catholic Church continues to recover in the twenty-first century much of what was so unfortunately cast aside in the latter part of the twentieth.... A good general introduction to the 'usus antiquior' - the more ancient use or form of the Roman rite of the sacred liturgy - for those who know little or nothing about it, providing as it does a brief guide to the Mass rite as well as chapters dealing with important features of the older liturgy and common misconceptions concerning it. The inclusion of the texts of the Pope's decree and accompanying letter and a list of resources are also helpful."
-Alcuin Reid, OSB, author, The Organic Development of the Liturgy

"A useful handbook in understanding the reasons why Benedict restored the Missal of 1962, [and provides] commentaries on the liturgy's actual actions."
-Library Journal

"Summorum Pontificum releases the curtains on four decades of liturgical farce and revives a tradition vital to the Church's recovery. In this clear book, Thomas Woods captures the momentousness of Pope Benedict XVI's simple act of courage and common sense." -George Neumayr, Editor, Catholic World Report

"On September 14, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI returned the Old Latin Mass to the mainstream of Catholic liturgical life. It was a joyous moment, but not without questions: How would the old Mass be received after so long a neglect? And what of the Catholics who have known only the Novus Ordo - how can they familiarize themselves with the grandeur of the Tridentine rite? Thomas Woods' newest book, Sacred Then and Sacred Now, is the solution - a compact and informative guide to the history, structure, and practice of the old Mass (with a particularly helpful section at the end that tackles common objections). Easy to read, every Catholic would benefit from this book." -Brian Saint-Paul, Editor, InsideCatholic.com (Crisis magazine)

"A good and concise resource for introducing friends, family, even clergy, to the motu proprio, to the Pope's liturgical thought and to the ancient Roman liturgy itself." -Shawn Tribe, founder and editor, The New Liturgical Movement

"Pope Benedict XVI recently declared that the Latin Mass, which has seen limited use since the late 1960s, can now be celebrated by priests and laity all over the world. Woods, author of How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization, has no doubt that this is a good idea. He may be in a minority camp in his church, but it is a vocal and passionate minority that desires to be heard. The author presents a hybrid of history, apologetics and theology in an effort to explore the mystery and beauty of the Latin Mass and answer what he views as misconceptions about this form of liturgy....[He makes] an excellent point that contemporary liturgy can be too 'wordy,' while the more traditional mass, with its generous use of silence, 'offers us the opportunity to focus our hearts and prayers on the action taking place at the altar, and to unite ourselves fervently to that action.' Those interested in the evolution of liturgy will gain some insights from Woods's reflections." -Publishers Weekly

Related links:

Miscellaneous:
My own discussion of the book
Interview with Inside Catholic about the book

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