The Seven Sacraments: The Traditional and Novel Rites Compared
Donald P. Goodman
In 1969, an earth-shattering development occurred in the Catholic Church: Pope Paul VI promulgated a Novus Ordo Missæ, a New Rite of Mass, which ostensibly would replace the Traditional Rite that had existed throughout the Church, in substantially the same form, for more than a millenium and a half.
Since then, controversy has raged. Is this Novel Rite promulgated by Paul VI entirely new? Is it a development of the Traditional Rite? Is it an apostolic rite? Is it in continuity with the Traditional Rite?
This discussion has focused almost entirely on the Mass, with very little comparison done between the Traditional and Novel Rites of the other six sacraments.
Here, we present very basic comparisons of the rites of the seven sacraments in the Traditional and Novel Rites, offering some simple comments on the differences between them. As sacraments are completed, they will be filled in here; we already have the Mass, Baptism, Penance, and Matrimony available. Presented in color for easier distinctions, with wholly new and strictly accurate translations of both rites into English, this project makes a rational comparison, and thus a judgment, between the two rites much easier—and makes the correct judgment even more painfully evident than before.
We pray that these documents will be useful for the faithful throughout the world.
Laudetur Jesus Christus!
Mass | |
Baptism | |
Penance | |
Matrimony | |
Extreme Unction | |
Holy Orders | |
Confirmation |